ROAD TRIP: Are we there yet?

“Major”-ly Frustrated?

2011-11-15T16:35:00.003-06:00

With so many choices and a four-year crunch of time, we all want to make the best of our undergraduate years in college. SMU offers such a vast list of majors, that choosing one is, ironically, not a simple task. Sure, most of us walk into the first day of college wanting to either be a lawyer or a civil engineer, but as the year progresses, so do our wants and outlooks on the world. As a student assistant at the Hegi Career Center, I see waves of people come in, flustered about what they should major in, especially because it correlates with their career path. At the Hegi Career Center, we offer personality and interest assessments, but here are some of my observations that may aid you in choosing one before you come and visit us:

1. Balance Strengths and Passions
I’m sure you have heard the phrase along the lines of “do something you love because you must have a job that you will enjoy”. Yes, I believe that everyone should strive for a major and occupation they would love, but at the same time, make sure it does not conflict with your strengths. If you love to dance and decided you want to major in it to become a professional dancer, but your skills stop at the hokey-pokey, chances are, it might be tough finding a career later on in it. However, if that same person happens to be an amazing writer, but does not have a passion for journalism, try taking some classes in it. Maybe they had misconceptions about journalism, and later find out they love it.Typically, people tend to love doing work when they will get praised for it in the end or achieve in it, so eventually the journalism may transform into a passion. Plus, it will be strength. If dance is still a passion, strive for that too, but maybe aim for a minor in it! I like to believe that if people get careers in what they are good at, they perform well and eventually become fond of it, thus also banking in more money as a perk.

2. Be Realistic
While definitely very cool, make sure that choosing a major in “Astrology”, just because you love it, is going to take you where you want to go. Adding to that, if you happen to be a Vocal Performance Major, aspiring to enter Broadway, that is awesome! I’m sure you’re amazing! Likewise, make sure that you have come to terms with the fact that it is a SUPER competitive field. Maybe try for a double major, with a strong fall back option? Say, Business Administration? People like to think that a major is a choice between one or the other, it’s not!

3. Be PROACTIVE

Don’t just cage yourself in the realm of SMU when finding your major. Go to various places, internships, and volunteering opportunities to put yourself in the shoes of someone who works in your desired field. Make your life and resume interesting, and along the way, you might find a path that you are drawn to. Gain experiences in your field of interest! Try and start as early as you can, so you do not fall behind if you decide to change your major. The best way to confirm your choice of major is to immerse yourself in that field, outside of the textbook.

4. Still Unsure? Come to the Career Center!
If after considering these ideas, if you still feel lost (or even if you don’t), come visit! Sometimes, choosing a major can still feel hazy and frightening because you do not have the courage to admit that you chose the right one that will aid your career path. In that case, use the Hegi Family Career Center! It’s a wonderful, and FREE tool for SMU students and alumni. I’m not saying that because I work here, but it honestly is a great resource. We have career assessments and Career Counselors to speak with (we also have resume reviewing, mock interviews, and job search help). Stop by now to plan ahead, before it’s too late!

- Zoya Mohammad, SMU Student and Hegi Career Center Student Assistant

Career Tips from the Real Housewives of New Jersey

2011-11-01T11:34:00.003-05:00

We all love those reality shows that are guilty pleasures, and I am of no exception. Jersey Shore, any of the Real Housewives, Keeping Up With The Kardashians are all in my DVR queue. Yes, there is little, if any, benefit from watching these shows besides laughing at the women who want to have their fifteen minutes of fame and making yourself feel better that you aren’t one of them. However, I have found one way to extract a lesson that could relate to a college student from the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

No, it isn’t Caroline Manzo’s words of wisdom, but from a very unlikely source- Ashlee Holmes, Jacqueline’s daughter. Yes, this girl is spoiled beyond belief and runs wild without any consequences, but she is finally biting the preverbal bullet. Her mother is kicking her out and Ashlee needs a job to help support her party lifestyle. She is faced with the same problems that most college students see when they begin their job search: there are NO jobs out there. Let’s be real, the economy is not in the best place and there is not a great chance for you to get a job. However, to add some light at the end of the tunnel, you can get a job – as long as you don’t act like Ashlee. Ashlee is lazy, unmotivated and unwilling to hit the pavement when it comes to looking for any job. You can actually learn from her (not her artful hair pulling, smart-alecky back talk to her mother, or guilt-tripping her way to a new car from her stepdad) what not to do when looking for employment.

Following these tips will definitely help you land a job in this terrible economy:

When looking for a job, be proactive. Yes, a company is not hiring right now, but they could be and having your application on file will help in the future.
Have a great resume. Take advantage of the free services that the Hegi Family Career Development Center has to offer, including their resume prep.
Look good. Please do not ever wear those Bob Marley-esque hats (an Ashlee staple) to any job interview, unless it is at a tattoo shop. Conservative business professional is always the best way to go. As my mother says, “It is always better to be over dressed than undressed because it is always easier to pull off a casual attitude in nice clothes than to act more sophisticated in the wrong clothes.”
Work on your interviewing skills. Schedule a Mock Interview with a career counselor and get as much practice. Practice makes perfect!
Be MOTIVATED! Go out there with a smile and employers will respect it. Hit the pavement and meet employers.
Get Connected! Set up an account on LinkedIn and go to career fairs to meet people. When employers can connect a name to face, it helps.
Finally, take advantage of the Hegi Family Career Development Center. I cannot say this enough, but these people can help you with everything. From finding your career path, internships and landing that job (and returning on your parent’s investment in you education). They can help, and it’s FREE!!

My last little piece of advice is yes, it is all about who you know, but that will only get you in the door. Being yourself and being prepared will land you the job. And don’t ever be a sass like Ashlee Holmes. That never works, ever.

Samantha Jarvis, SMU student

F2F Networking

2011-08-23T11:27:00.006-05:00

Welcome back to campus Ponies!  As you know via the Hegi Career Center and/or through personal experience, meeting and networking with people is how the world gets stuff done...and how you'll get your next internship or full-time job!  Below is a snipit from from the The Drucker Exchange on how this happens even at the CEO level.

"As horrendous as air travel can be these days, at least there’s still a chance that you’ll bump into someone important at the airport. That’s apparently what happened to Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally and Toyota President Akio Toyoda. After a chance encounter at an airport terminal, according to The Wall Street Journal, “the two men exchanged business cards and the accidental meeting led to informal discussions about their operations.” That, in turn, led to further conversations. And today, it was announced, Ford and Toyota are set to work together on developing a gas-electric hybrid system for trucks and SUVs..."

**Note to that this was an unplanned meeting (chance encounter). You must be ready to take advantage of what life offers you even while putting your belt and shoes back on after being scanned by airport security. So sign up for our Speed Networking event on Sept. 7th and you'll have no worries about how to take advantage of every networking opportunity.

Butter, OOH, and Food Science Careers

2011-07-29T15:30:00.010-05:00

Who knew? Butter was once a food category! Oh, the good old days when the boomers were babies and being fed their recommended daily allowance of butter and/or fortified margarine.

It's Friday so let's ease our way into the weekend by taking a look at fast growing yet probably not well known career path of "food science". (TIP: When looking to get a handle on any career, use the Department of Labor's OOH website). There are 5 general categories for "food science" and multiple college majors and career paths to follow to become a "professional foodie".

Food scientists and technologists usually work in the food processing industry, universities, or the Federal Government to create and improve food products. They use their knowledge of chemistry, physics, engineering, microbiology, biotechnology, and other sciences to develop new or better ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods. Some food scientists engage in basic research, discovering new food sources; analyzing food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, or protein; or searching for substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites. Others engage in applied research, finding ways to improve the content of food or to remove harmful additives. They also develop ways to process, preserve, package, or store food according to industry and government regulations. Some continue to research improvements in traditional food processing techniques, such as baking, blanching, canning, drying, evaporation, and pasteurization. Other food scientists enforce government regulations, inspecting food processing areas and ensuring that sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management standards are met.

Food technologists generally work in product development, applying the findings from food science research to improve the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, and distribution of food.

Plant scientists study plants, helping producers of food, feed, and fiber crops to feed a growing population and to conserve natural resources. Agronomists and crop scientists not only help increase productivity, but also study ways to improve the nutritional value of crops and the quality of seed, often through biotechnology. Some crop scientists study the breeding, physiology, and management of crops and use genetic engineering to develop crops resistant to pests and drought. Some plant scientists develop new technologies to control or eliminate pests and to prevent their spread in ways appropriate to the specific environment. They also conduct research or oversee activities to halt the spread of insect-borne disease.

Soil scientists study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as it relates to plant growth. They also study the responses of various soil types to fertilizers, tillage practices, and crop rotation. Many soil scientists who work for the Federal Government conduct soil surveys, classifying and mapping soils. They provide information and recommendations to farmers and other landowners regarding the best use of land and plants to avoid or correct problems, such as erosion. They may also consult with engineers and other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of, and solutions to, soil problems. Because soil science is closely related to environmental science, persons trained in soil science also work to ensure environmental quality and effective land use.

Animal scientists work to develop better, more efficient ways of producing and processing meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. Dairy scientists, poultry scientists, animal breeders, and other scientists in related fields study the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and growth of domestic farm animals. Some animal scientists inspect and grade livestock food products, purchase livestock, or work in technical sales or marketing. As extension agents or consultants, animal scientists advise agricultural producers on how to upgrade animal housing facilities properly, lower animal mortality rates, handle waste matter, or increase production of animal products, such as milk or eggs.

$$$$$ Median annual wages of food scientists and technologists were $59,520 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,600 and $81,340. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,520. Median annual wages of soil and plant scientists were $58,390 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,150 and $78,080. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $105,340. In May 2008, median annual wages of animal scientists were $56,030.

The average Federal salary in 2009 was $104,184 in animal science and $79,158 in soil science.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in July 2009 for graduates with a bachelor's degree in animal sciences averaged $33,732 a year; plant sciences, $33,456 a year; and in other agricultural sciences, $34,699 a year.

Yum-Yum Resume

2011-07-25T13:06:00.012-05:00

A visual snack for all those working hard on your resume during the lunch hour!

Data = Reviewing the job posting and picking your best experiences (i.e. ingredients) for this position.
Information = Producing a strong resume (free of grammatical errors) that has your most important and relevant information listed.
Presentation = Your "hand-made" resume chock-full of success statements, experiences and keywords.
Knowledge = The result after the search committee has reviewed your resume and asks you for an interview!

Image by EpicGraphic

From Pomp and Circumstance to the Employment Dance

2011-07-21T09:20:00.003-05:00

SMU Seniors...your thoughts?

Chat with one of over 900 SMU Alumni Linked-In Hegi Group members to get the real scoop! Not a member yet of this Linked-In group? Call us today (214-768-2266) and we'll get ya in!

Don't be a Go-For: Get Paid as an Intern!

2011-07-15T15:49:00.011-05:00

We all know that these are tough times and internships/jobs are scarce for college students and recent grads. In a recent survey by NACE (video below), it was found that unpaid interns were more likely to:
#1. Perform more administrative tasks relative to professional tasks.
#2. Receive fewer job offers.
#3. Be offered a lower salary when offered the job.

THREE MORE REASONS why students need paid, relevant experiences. Luckily for SMU students, 70% of all internship$ in MustangTrak are paid and relevant!

Dirk, Lebron and Your Career Success!

2011-06-15T07:26:00.011-05:00

In honor of the Dallas Mavericks’ first championship title, Steve Dennis posted a blog titled “Don’t LeBron Me Bro” touching on LeBron’s shortcomings on and off the court. You may be thinking “How does this apply to your career?” You may not be a professional basketball player with the media following your every move. However, with social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter employers can find information (both good and bad) about you before you walk in the door. And it is up to you to create a positive image.

First, let’s compare the image of Dirk versus LeBron. Both players have been awarded the league’s prestigious MVP title – LeBron twice and Dirk once. Dirk has been in the league for thirteen years all with the Dallas Mavericks while LeBron has spent his eight year career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently with the Miami Heat.

Dirk represents the few of us who start and (will possibly) end our careers with the same organization. Like LeBron, it is quite common for us to change organizations throughout the course of our career. The difference between Dirk and LeBron is not their loyalty, or lack thereof, for their respective teams. It is the way that they treat their teammates (colleagues), sport (industry), coaches (supervisors/mentors), and fans (consumers).

According to Dennis, “both people and brands signal they desire a connected relationship through humility, a willingness to listen and through thoughts and actions that build connection.” Dirk and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks team have done just that, whereas King James and the Heat have mocked their opponents and at the end, humiliated themselves. At the beginning of his career, sports pundits often portrayed Nowitzki as “soft” and lacking in leadership qualities. In comparison, James, much like Kobe Bryant, was dubbed as a clear superstar at the ripe age of 18. Through hours upon hours of practice and demonstration of class on and off the court, Nowitzki has earned the respect as a leader by his teammates, fans, and the league.

Some of you may be born with natural born talents to win championships, but I am guessing that the majority of us require hours of practice. Regardless of the profession, the combination of hard work, humility, and resiliency can lead us all to a championship-worthy career.

How does this apply to you? As students either looking for employment or alumni seeking a career switch, you must exude the same “Dirk-like” qualities. Embrace those in your life who have supported you throughout your life – family members, mentors, and professors – and make sure you stay connected to them. The job search process is unrelenting, just like the road to win a NBA championship title. Dirk’s two-a-days resulted in game winning shots on the court. Your career may not be one of a professional athlete, but you can practice your networking and interviewing skills similar to how Dirk practices his crucial fade away jump shots. Your championship equivalent is nailing that job interview.

Finally, I will leave you with a recent ESPN commentary titled “Pulling for Big D”, where Rick Reilly lists the reasons why everyone should cheer for the Mavericks. Fortunately to get the job you want, you don't need 20 reasons... just these 5 skills below!

So define for yourself which of these skills below are "free-throws" (strengths) and which ones are "30-foot fade away three-pointers at the buzzer" (areas to develop)?

NACE: Employers Rank Top 5 Candidate Skills/Qualities

Verbal Communication Skills
Strong Work Ethic
Teamwork Skills
Analytical Skills
Initiative

Staff Picks Series: Advice for the Class of 2011

2011-05-19T14:37:00.005-05:00

On behalf of the Hegi Career Center, congratulations to the Class of 2011! What an exciting time in your life. We hope you and your families are so proud of your accomplishments. But we know there is more to come!

We have shared some advice to graduates in the past, but this time some of our staff members share their best post-graduation advice with you. Check out their thoughts below and then make an appointment to come see us. Remember, we are open all summer, and as an alumni, you have lifetime access to our office!

* Before it is too late, make sure you reach out to your professors and mentors to provide them with your updated contact information and thank them for their guidance over the past four years. You never know when you will be asked by a graduate school or an employer for references, and this is the perfect opportunity to stay connected right after you graduate. -- Lisa Tran, Assistant Director

* If you are taking some time off before finding a full-time job or graduate school, make sure you are still utilizing that period for experiences that will help you determine your career path or make you an even more competitive candidate when you apply, such as volunteering, traveling abroad, or taking specialized classes (such as a language). Be able to tell an employer or graduate school how your time off has benefited you and made you more prepared for your next step. -- Caryn Statman, Assistant Director

* Here are 10 things you should know to be successful at work – especially if you are beginning your first full-time professional position. -- Regina James, Assistant Director

1. Dress the part – Image is everything
2. Less talking, more listening
3. Network (both inside and outside work)
4. Earn respect from the beginning - set the tone
5. Be professional
a. Come to work on time
b. Be willing to take on additional responsibility (volunteer, don’t wait to be assigned)
c. Communication (professional in every area)
d. Positive attitude – avoid negativity
e. Integrity, responsibility
6. Maintain your own personal records (documentation) – paper trail as well as a list of accomplishments
7. A thank you note goes a long way
8. In confrontations, address the source of the problem directly and respectfully instead of discussing it with other people. If it’s a major issue, inform the manager of the situation as quickly as possible
9. Find a mentor you can trust who is well-established and respected in your field
10. Do what you love or enjoy (be passionate about your work)

What advice would you add to the Class of 2011? If you just graduated, what tips would you offer to upcoming seniors?

Dedman Students Hit the Pavement and Explore Careers

2011-04-08T09:34:00.013-05:00

In March, eight Dedman College students piled into a van and onto the road in the 2nd annual Hit the Pavement career field trip. Hosted and staffed by the Hegi Career Center, these students went through an application process and orientation leading up to the big day. They visited with three diverse employers to learn about the many different career paths available to liberal arts and all students.

Below, Hit the Pavement participant and junior Markets and Culture major Taylor Medrano, shares his experience.

The Hit the Pavement experience was an excellent opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the business world. Throughout the course of the day, we visited three very different organizations: The Center for Non-Profit Management, Enterprise Holdings, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Each organization is founded on a different business model, which makes each organization function in its own unique way.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to participate in this experience because it gave me the chance to get a feel for the day-to-day operations of each organization. After this experience, I found that the career path I thought I might want to follow is not necessarily the field for which I am destined. Hit the Pavement was an invaluable experience that I will appreciate for years to come.

Look for another Hit the Pavement event coming in the fall!

Getting The Most From Your Liberal Arts Degree

2011-03-31T13:27:00.021-05:00

By Rian Johnson, Hegi Graduate Counselor Intern

The job market that today’s college graduates is different from maybe it was when they started college; with the changing global economy, as well as rapid advancements in technology, the job market has been altered – in some ways for the better and in some ways not. Therefore, all students need to be more purposeful with the direction of their education and in preparing for a career after college. You don't have to wait until your senior year to be ready for graduation.

Below are some tips for liberal arts students to get the most out of their education and be on a viable career path post-graduation:

• Get to know yourself: Find out your interests, personality styles, and values so that you can research possible career options and begin working toward those.

• Think about (and write down) the hard and soft skills you’re learning and using in school so that you are able to communicate them to employers. Every time you complete a project, turn in a paper, or plan an event, write it down!

• If you plan to get your Ph.D., valuable work experience will put you ahead of the curve of your competitors who go straight through.

• Find a mentor early: Develop relationships with your professors, advisors, bosses, etc., and accept the help that they can give you academically and with career contacts. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn are a great way to reach out to alumni and the rest of your networks to build connections. Join groups such as the Hegi Career Services group.

• Learn another language: Liberal arts students are prime candidates for international careers, and you will make yourself more marketable if you become fluent in at least one other language.

• Obtain more than one internship before you graduate. If you have figured out what career you want, intern at a company in the industry. You gain valuable experience and great contacts. And if you find out that you HATE what you’re doing, the internship is still a success, because it’s helped you to narrow the field.

• Develop your leadership skills through your extracurricular activities and volunteer experiences. In some student organizations, you can learn hard skills like managing budgets, event planning, negotiation, marketing, etc. that you won’t learn in the classroom.

• It’s ok if you change your focus later in your career. But while you’re here, you want to build a solid career foundation by gaining necessary experience and skills in a concentrated area. Trust us folks: bills are REAL and they come quicker than you think once you graduate!

Don’t forget: The Hegi Career Center is here to help you! You are not alone, and you don’t have to figure this all out by yourself. So make an appointment with a career counselor today.

Mind Your Business Manners

2011-02-25T11:46:00.012-06:00

You've landed the job or internship and now it's time to wow the boss and your colleagues with your skills. But don't forget, no matter how skilled you are, your business etiquette can make or break your professional reputation.

Of course you know to say please and thank you, right? (right??) But business etiquette goes beyond our basic manners and courtesy. Have you ever wondered:

What is the salad fork (when at a lunch meeting)?
How do I avoid company gossip?
Should I be Facebook friends with my colleagues?
What is my role in a meeting?
What makes a professional voicemail message?
How long do I have to respond to an email before it's considered a slow response?
Should I forward funny emails?
Can I ever make personal calls?
What if don't like a colleague (or like them too much)?

These issues and situations -- and many more -- can be difficult to navigate and can have a big impact on the impression that you make as a professional.

To help, we are hosting a Business Etiquette Workshop on Tuesday, March 8, from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Hughes-Trigg Promenades. Get answers to these questions and many other areas before you start your new job or internship!

You can always make an appointment with a Hegi Career Counselor by calling 214-768-2266 or stopping by our office. And don't miss our other events coming up this semester.

What are some other etiquette grey areas for you? What have you done to polish your professional image?

20 Questions to Ponder

2011-01-27T16:00:00.006-06:00

In a recent article posted on CNN.com, 20 questions were posed to readers to help them learn more about themselves. I think many of these can be applied to career explorers and job searchers as you seek out areas to develop your niche. They were thought-provoking, so I wanted to share. I encourage you to check out the entire article as it has explanations for each of the questions.

You can substitute the words in brackets for anything that makes sense to you. Enjoy!

1. What questions should I be asking myself?
2. Is this what I want to be doing?
3. Why worry?
4. Why do I like {cupcakes} more than I like {people}?
5. How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it?
6. How do I want to be different because I lived in this world?
7. Are {vegans} better people?
8. What is my body telling me?
9. How much junk could a chic chick chuck if a chic chick could chuck junk?
10. What's so funny?
11. Where am I wrong?
12. What potential memories am I bartering, and is the profit worth the price?
13. Am I the only one struggling not to {burp} during {yoga}?
14. What do I love to practice?
15. Where could I work less and achieve more?
16. How can I keep myself absolutely safe?
17. Where should I break the rules?
18. So say I lived in that fabulous house in Tuscany, with untold wealth, a gorgeous, adoring mate, and a full staff of servants...then what?
19. Are my thoughts hurting or healing?
20. Really truly: Is this what I want to be doing?

Ways to make a Good Impression on a Job Interview

2011-01-24T14:27:00.007-06:00

On-campus interviewing is underway in the Hegi Career Center! Below, senior political science major Linwood Fields shares some tips for interview success. Linwood serves as a Career Center Advocate for the Hegi Career Center.

Be conservative, yet unique in choosing your clothing for the interview.
o Wear a conservative colored suit (black, blue or gray) and a white dress shirt, with a tie that can catch the attention of the employer (for the guys). Side note: Please do not wear a tie that may cause bad attention if it clashes with your suit.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early before your scheduled time.
o Arriving early shows the employer that you are serious about the possible position in which you have interest.

Make sure you make the employer know you are confident and assertive.
o Be sure to introduce yourself with your full name, along with a firm hand shake and direct eye contact

Answer all questions thoroughly.
o Answer all of the questions asked to you. Take a couple of moments to gather your thoughts together before answering. Be ready for anything they may ask including hypothetical-type questions. They want to see how well you can think extemporaneously.

Be sure to answer all questions when you are given the opportunity by the employer.
o Ask questions to the interviewer to show your initiative towards the position. This is your last chance to leave a good impression.

Thank the interviewer for their time at the end of the interview.
o Take time to express gratitude for the interview for allowing time in their schedule to speak with you. Give another firm handshake with direct eye contact before departing.

Follow up after the interview with a handwritten “Thank-You” Note/Card.
o Depending on whether you have a one-on-one or group interview, take time out to write a thank-you note to the interviewer. This could be a determining factor in deciding if you are called for a second interview, or if you are hired.

Make an appointment at the Hegi Career Center for a mock interview or for any of your other career services needs by stopping by our office in Hughes-Trigg or calling 214-768-2266. And don't miss our Interview for Success workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. in the Hughes-Trigg Forum.

Save the Dates and Maximize Career Events

2011-01-19T13:52:00.010-06:00

Welcome back Mustangs and Happy 2011! We are excited about a new semester and hope you are too. As always, our career center events kick off right away, with Career and Internship Fair Prep Day coming up on Thursday, Feb. 3. And that is just the beginning! You can see the entire schedule, including the All-Major Career and Internship Fair, here. To help you maximize these events, we are including below a reminder of some tips for getting the most out of these opportunities!

• Aside from the Career and Internship Fair, most events are not recruiting events. This means that even if you are not sure if you would be interested in a particular industry that an event might be focused on, attending is still a great way to learn more about it (and perhaps make that decision) and build your professional network.

• That said… it is best to treat events where employers will be in attendance like it is a recruiting event, to the extent that you are always putting your best professional foot forward. For example, you do not need to wear a suit, but don’t come in sweatpants either. There might be people there with whom one day you do want to interview and as the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” On a similar note, use the manners you know well – be on time, don’t chit chat with the friend next to you, etc.

• When professionals are present, walk up to them after the event to thank them for coming. Ask for business cards and follow-up with a thank you e-mail and/or connect on LinkedIn.

• Come prepared – whether it’s with questions, company research (if it is a recruiting event like the Career Fair), or just with an open-mind to absorb information. Most events are only an hour, so use those 60 minutes wisely! And you can alread see some of the participating employers for the Career Fair here.

Keep checking our website for additional information on events and participating professionals.

If you have any tips to share or any questions about the events, hit the comments section below. See you soon!

EDU 2308: J-term Blog #5

2011-01-11T19:15:00.002-06:00

We learned today that a small number of employees consistently perform at the "exceptional level". How will you communicate, in a future professional cover letter, that you will be one of the few exceptional colleagues in the work place?

EDU 2308: J-term Blog #4

2011-01-10T17:30:00.002-06:00

Today we cruised through an ethics rant and watched 2/3 of "Office Space" the movie. Using the ethics definition we discussed, wax and wane about what you believe are 3 possible ethical considerations of the "Bobs" (the Consultants).

EDU 2308: J-term Blog #3

2011-01-06T18:37:00.003-06:00

William James and Martin Seligman both discussed the concept of "habituation". Using the CASVE model of career decision making, describe a time when you have habituated--from the Seligman perspective--on a major or career choice during your time as an SMU student.

EDU 2308: J-term #2

2011-01-05T18:59:00.002-06:00

Today we explored Planned Happenstance Theory. Describe a scene in the Bee Movie that you believe is a good example of "planned flexibility and action".

EDU 2308: J-Term Blog #1

2011-01-04T16:03:00.002-06:00

Based upon what we discussed today, name 3 reasons why it is vital for you to study career theory and practice. What was less important?

End of the Road or Half-Way to Summer?

2010-12-22T08:14:00.005-06:00

The blog below is a re-post of an earlier blog on Destination Occupation. We hope everyone has a safe and fun Winter Break. Our office will be open except for Dec. 24th-Dec. 31st, when we will be closed for the University holiday break. We will re-open on Monday, Jan. 3.

Are you graduating and about to start working? Follow these tips for first-year-on-the-job success!

--Find a mentor and build relationships
--Stay updated on industry trends – know what you need to do to succeed
--Show your maturity – AVOID company gossip
--Lose the sense of entitlement
--Dress appropriately and be well-rested and alert
--Remember your first position will not be your last

Coming back to school in January? Utilize this half-way point to secure summer plans by:

--Networking over the break with potential internship or full-time employers: family friends, friend’s family members, relatives, colleagues, etc.
--Researching potential majors/careers through online resources
--Conducting informational interviews with people in your hometown
--Registering for MustangTrak, SMU’s online databases of jobs and internships. Go to http://www.smusaddleup.com/ to complete the required online orientation.
--Setting up an appointment with the Career Center for when you come back to campus to discuss next steps

Congratulations Seniors! Remember that as alums, the Career Center is always available to you!

Staff Picks Series: Best Advice for Using the Holiday Break

2010-12-07T09:07:00.014-06:00

The end of the tunnel is near! Whether this was your first semester, your last, or somewhere in between, the upcoming winter break is hopefully a time to relax and unwind. But the break is also a great opportunity to further your job/internship search or career exploration. Use all the events, airport time and family get-togethers as times to network or even job shadow. The Hegi staff shares their best holiday career tips below!

My favorite tip for the holidays is to take advantage of those chance meetings we all have whether they are in a line at the airport or at your great aunt’s holiday party. Planned happenstance is planning to capitalize on opportunities to start up a conversation with someone who just might put you in touch with a person who has your dream job. So take off the headphones and connect with the people around you. You can start by making an observation, then ask a question about them and the reveal something about you. People respond to someone who shows a genuine interest in them. If someone provides you with some good information, follow up with a short thank-you note. – Janet Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

If you never know what to say to all the people you are introduced to at a holiday party, ask them about what they do for a living. Tell them you are trying to figure out your career goals and it’s so helpful to hear how other people figured out their career path. People love to share their story and you might hear some ideas about careers that you had not thought of previously. Listen like you mean it. – Caryn Statman, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

Are you struggling with narrowing down your career area of interest? Do you have lots of ideas of potential jobs, but are clueless about what that specific job actually entails? The best learning tool is experience. Utilize your extra time between sleeping, munching on mama's home cooking, holiday parties, and shopping by shadowing someone in an area of your career interest. Find a family friend, stranger, or friend that is currently in a career field that you find fascinating to shadow for a week or two. Think of the possibilities! You could gain experience, knowledge, connections, and insight into what career your heart truly desires...or does not desire. Just imagine beginning 2011 with more clarity about your career path! – Ann-Hayden Gustafson, Graduate Counselor Intern

Establish and accomplish at least one career development goal during your holiday break. It could be meeting with a career counselor (in-person or via phone), drafting a resume, conducting an informational interview or applying for X many internships/jobs. Don’t get overwhelmed with the big picture, just figure out the most important next step for you and create an action plan to help you accomplish it. – Jessica Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling and Employer Relations

Use the table below as a “road map” when applying for jobs! – Darin Ford, Director (from the Pongo Resume website)

Tell us, what are some places/events where you can network this holiday season?

EDU 2308 BLOG #3: "French" Benefits

2010-11-19T15:02:00.005-06:00

In class today we discussed when to negotiate your salary and the "french benefits package". While the timing is ultimately important, what you negotiate will enhance the salary offer!

Your assignment is:
1. Review your Myplan.com Values Assessment results.
2. Based upon those results, tell us which two (2) non-salary benefits you would negotiate with the employer.
3. Describe to us why these values-based benefits are important to your future work/life balance.

This assignment must be fully completed by 11/30/10 at 5pm.

Students Hit the Pavement in 1st Annual Dedman Field Trip

2010-11-16T08:06:00.008-06:00

Ten Dedman College students were selected through an application and interview process to participate in Hit the Pavement, the 1st annual Dedman career field trip to visit three local employers/organizations -- the Center for NonProfit Management, Sewell Automotive and Southwest Airlines. Participants met leaders in the organizations and learned more about the many different opportunities available to liberal arts students. Hear from two of the students about their experience and why it was valuable:

By George Williams, Jr., Class of 2013
My experience with “Hit the Pavement” was absolutely incredible; the first stop we made was to the Center for Non-Profit Management. While there, I got to meet the President of the center Ms. Cynthia Nunn. Cynthia was really welcoming and shed a lot of light on the Non-profit sector and busted many myths that are believed about the industry.

After wrapping things up there, we continued on to Sewell Automotive Companies. Personally, the experience that I had at Sewell was my favorite out of the whole trip. Upon entering we were greeted by the Vice President of Human Resources, Mr. Joe Stallard followed by Mr. Carl Sewell himself, who gave a presentation about the core values of Sewell Automotive. What I liked most about the trip was having that close and intimate access to very influential and prominent people within the Dallas area.

The last but definitely not least stop on our trip was Southwest Airlines. Getting the amazing opportunity to have a guided tour of Southwest’s headquarters and to be presented with the multitude of internship opportunities offered by Southwest was really invaluable. Also, I got to see a handful of current SMU students who are completing internships with Southwest and hearing their success stories was a very neat aspect of the trip.

In general, the trip was definitely one the top professional experiences that I’ve had at SMU thus far and really hope that “Hit the Pavement” will be a program that will continue for many years to come!

****************************************************************************

By Christie Pearson, Class of 2011

The “Hit the Pavement” Dedman career event was a great way to explore potential career opportunities right here in Dallas. The application process included answering five short essay questions and submitting a resume to Jessica Lewis. Students were then selected for an interview; from there the final ten applicants were chosen to participate in the event. The ten students were asked to research and prepare three questions each for the companies they would visit. After a brief orientation, the students went home to press their suits, print copies of their resumes, and pick out a pair of comfortable shoes in order to “Hit the Pavement” on Tuesday, November 9.

Early Tuesday morning, the students met up at the Hegi Family Career Development Center for some coffee and doughnuts before piling into the SMU van. The first stop was the Center for Non-profit Management in Dallas. The Center is a consulting firm that provides several great services well below cost-value to Non-profits around the Metroplex. Next, the SMU crew drove into Sewell Automotive. The mustangs gathered some terrific advice from fellow Mustang Carl Sewell as well as a copy of his international best-selling book, Customers for Life. The students LUVed the last stop of the day at Southwest Airlines. At Southwest, the students got a tour of the headquarters. They also learned about the wonderful internship opportunities and benefits available at Southwest directly from some Southwest Interns who happen to be current and former SMU students!

At the end of the long, but exciting day the students were exhausted, but still had enough energy to ask Ms. Lewis to plan another “Hit the Pavement” event in the Spring. The Dedman College students were thankful to finally receive some special attention.

See more pictures from Hit the Pavement by becoming a fan of the SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center on Facebook !

Careers in Social Media Week Panel Recap

2010-10-28T16:36:00.010-05:00

While social media has become a great resource for so many areas, including job searching, it has also become its own industry with jobs that did not even exist five years ago now attracting top talent in marketing, public relations, graphic design, business, journalism… and the list goes on and on!

As part of our Careers and Social Media Week, the Hegi Career Center and BBA Career Services hosted a panel of professionals who work in varying capacities in social media to share advice and tips for students looking to explore these career paths. Below is a summary of their great information!

Panelists:
• Brian Conway, Social/Digital Media, Weber Shandwick
• Mike Merrill, Director of Marketing, ReachLocal
• Jessica Nunez, Owner, Nunez PR Group
• Kendall Shiffler, Social Networking & Marketing Associate, Lower Oak Lawn
• Laura Stillo, Social Media Producer, YouPlusDallas.

All of our experts throughout the week stressed the importance of writing your own personal blog and using social media if you are planning to work in social media or are trying to build your personal brand for a job search. However, don’t post too much! In other words, make sure your online presence is not too personal – it should highlight who you are, but be careful about over-sharing. Some additional questions they answered included:

How do you brand yourself?
• Beyond starting a blog and publishing content, you should try to speak at organizations and groups.
• Manage the blog and social media presence for a family or friend’s business or for a small business that can’t afford to hire anyone. You might not be getting paid, but you will be building your portfolio.
• Brand yourself consistently online – your Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. Should be the same name and same picture.
• Comment on similar blogs and build a relationship with those bloggers and their followers. Ultimately, you might ask to write a guest blog.

What counts as “content”?
• Whatever is most relevant for your followers. Need to determine your niche. Don’t write about what you did on Knox-Henderson on Saturday night unless your topic is reviewing restaurants.
• Social media is “citizen journalism” – college is a great time for social commentary.
• Content refers to text, video and/or pictures. It is not necessary to have all of these on your blog, but there should always be a visual.
• Blogs should be a target length of only 300 words.

What is the importance of internships/experience?
• It is very important to get experience on your resume. Even if it is managing the blog for a campus organization, make sure it is highlighted on your resume.
• Get active leadership roles on campus.
• Jessica Nunez: Internships are the accessory to your dress (your degree).
• Make sure all of your experience is on LinkedIn.

Is your company hiring for interns right now?
• NunezPr is hiring interns right now!
• It is a good time for interns at Weber Shandwick because they are really building a digital practice in Dallas. They have a structured internship program in the fall, spring and winter. • ReachLocal does not have interns but is hiring for full-time opportunities right now.

• You+Dallas has a summer internship program for videographers. They are also always looking for guest bloggers.

E-mail the Career Center if you would like more information about these opportunities.

What are good resources for blogging?
• Blogs that write about…. Blogging!
o http://www.copyblogger.com/
o http://www.problogger.com/
o http://www.readwriteweb.com/
o http://socialmediamind.com/
• Platforms for blogging:
o http://www.wordpress.com/ (free to set up a blog and post it) or http://www.wordpress.org/ (free software, but you still need to pay to host your blog)
o http://www.posterous.com/

Were you at the panel? What did we miss? What other information about social media would you like to learn?

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter (@SMU_HegiCareer). Once on Twitter, look for the hashtag #smusmweek to read tweets from Social Media Week!

You Already Know Everyone You need to Know: Bob Beaudine at ASPM Lecture Series

2010-10-25T09:25:00.006-05:00

By Ann-Hayden Gustafson, Graduate Counselor Intern, Hegi Career Center

Do you despise the idea of networking with complete strangers? Does the thought of contacting someone you have never met make your palms sweat? Well, if you are anything like me, the idea of "networking" with strangers does not sound THAT appealing. Why would someone that does not know me want to help me?

But what if we re-define networking? What if we reconstruct the way we were taught to find a job? What if we reach out FIRST to the people who love and know us best?

Bob Beaudine -- an SMU alum, top executive recruiter and best-selling author -- put it so nicely last week at the ASPM Lecture Series, sponsored by the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. He said, let's do away with networking with strangers, you already GOT WHO YOU NEED. Reach out to the people who are already in your life: family, friends, professors, church members, college roommates, sorority/fraternity friends, and family friends. These individuals have been strategically placed in your life, in order to help you reach your DREAMS. These are the people that KNOW you, are FOR you, and BELIEVE in you. Remember, Reach out, and Re-connect. You never know who your friend may know...

In conclusion, dream BIG. Dream the impossible. Each person is unique, special, and gifted. Find your gift and utilize it to its highest fulfillment. Start dreaming and start planning...

What is your dream and how are you going to get there? You are given one life; what are you going to do with it?

Defining Your Own Road

2010-10-20T13:39:00.016-05:00

Last week, the SMU Hegi Career Center hosted the roadies from Roadtrip Nation on campus as part of their Fall Campus Tour. The roadies parked their famed Green RV at the Flagpole and talked to students about Roadtrip Nation's mission -- exploring and defining your own road in life and building a future that is fulfilling and in tune with who you are.

In line with this, several SMU students who stopped by the RV had a chance to write what they need to be happy and what "success" means to them. Check out the pics below to see what they had to say. And then tell us? What does success mean to you? And how can you find it? And to find out how you can hit the road in your own Green RV trip, visit here.

Staff Picks Series: Interviewing Blunders and Lessons Learned

2010-10-13T15:20:00.008-05:00

Interview season is upon us and while you can read about different tips in our past blogs and posts, we asked the Hegi Staff to share some of their own interview blunders and, more importantly, the interview lesson that was learned. We share with you so you don’t repeat our mistakes!

The first question out of my interviewer’s mouth was, “Of the requirements for this job, which will be the most challenging for you?” I was prepared to give a global introductory answer but this question really threw me. I stammered a bit trying to remember the specifics of the job description and blurted out something about it would be a challenge since it was a new location. What I learned: Have the job description in front of you and know what you are interviewing for! – Janet Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

I was asked about my experience with something very specific and I completely froze and couldn’t come up with anything. I mumbled some response and could not get that mistake out of my head for the rest of the interview. So in my follow-up thank you e-mail, I said I had more to share about that particular topic and bulleted out some examples of my work in that area. I learned two lessons: 1) Your thank-you note can be more than just saying “thank you”, but also a chance to sell yourself a little more, and 2) If you mess up a response, just let it go and focus on the rest of the interview. It’s just one question and what’s done is done! – Caryn Statman, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

I was interviewing for an HR Analyst position, and part of the process was creating and presenting a PowerPoint, which I wasn’t aware of until the day of the interview (I was supposed to have been told by the scheduler). They gave me 30 minutes to go over the topic and put together the presentation, which I then had to present to the group of interviewers. I stumbled through it, completely unprepared. After I left the interview, I knew I’d blown it and realized that I should have just asked for time to prepare before I actually presented it. My advice: ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for or take extra time so that you can better prepared to present/answer a question. – Latrice White, Employer Relations Coordinator

At the close of an interview, I blanked on how to pronounce the interviewer’s name, which led to me saying just part of his name, making for a very awkward moment. Lesson learned – practice saying your interviewer’s name, especially if it is unique or hard to pronounce. And, in the moment if you blank… just say thank you. – Jessica Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling and Employer Relations

We told you our's - now what’s your biggest interview blunder and more importantly, what did you learn from it?!

EDU 2308 BLOG #2: Social Media

2010-10-11T10:23:00.005-05:00

As our presenter discussed on Friday...Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter are becoming viable career research tools. Your assignment is to:

A: Research ALL THREE technologies above (Linked-in, Facebook and Twitter) and list ONE primary way for each technology they could help you research a career or help you when applying for a job.

B: Describe how Twitter could be used to supply a person with a Planned Happenstance experience?

C: What stage of the CASVE Cycle would Facebook influence the most? Why?

SMU Ph.D ABD's and Wall Street

2010-09-24T08:01:00.008-05:00

SMU Ph.D students in the ABD phase. There's a great Q/A article by Eliza Woolf on Ph.D's on Wall Street. Below are juicy tidbits to entice you to read more of the article.

Of course the second tidbit is something you can take advantage of here at the Hegi Career Center. We have a Linked-In Career Group that currently has over 700 SMU alumni ready to network and share career information with you. Stop by, meet with a counselor, and grow your network!

Q. What was it like transitioning from academe to industry? Did you undergo a period of culture shock? "OMG. In science fiction, there is a term: First Contact. We have met the aliens, and while we think they’re the people over there, they think the aliens are us (or me). Making the transition from academe to the private sector was a first contact experience. In fact, I floundered until I realized that I had to understand the rules for an alien culture and learn them if I were to survive. It is not a case just of subject-matter competence; it’s a case of understanding corporate cultures, of speaking differently, dressing differently, understanding the chain of command, understanding a workday that is unremitting, less vacation, and in which life paths and experience are likely to be very different."

Q. What advice would you give recent humanities Ph.D.s who are considering, or currently searching for, employment outside academe? "...If you’ve already finished, go back to the Office of Career Services, placement, or whatever, and mine its files for alumnae (or alumni), who are in fields that interest you..."

Staff Picks for Best Career Fair Advice

2010-09-14T11:14:00.008-05:00

The all-major Career and Internship Fair is just TWO days away! You can read a past blog about maximizing your time at the Fair here, but we also asked the Hegi Career Center staff to share their very best piece of advice for succeeding at the Fair on Thursday.

* Print personal business cards and include your linkedin url! – Jessica Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling and Employer Relations

* Arrive at the beginning of the Fair, and know what employers you will visit. Recruiters are fresh and ready to get started at the beginning. Think about the process if you had a job; you arrive at 8 a.m. ready to go to work. You have had your coffee to get you started, and you are working down your list of “to do’s”. Now you are wrapping up at 4:50 and someone drops by that wants to visit. Are you going to be focused on that individual, or focused on rushing that person out of the door so that you can leave? Chances are it would be the latter. Well, so it is with the Career Fair. Recruiters are fresh and ready to go at 12 noon when the doors open. Start early, start fresh!!! – Marva McGrew, Associate Director-Employer Relations

* Whether at Speed Networking, in a counseling appointment, in front of a mirror or in front of your parents, practice networking with employers and getting your message across before you get in front of the actual employer. – Allison Rhodes, Assistant Director-Operations

* Review the list of participating employers and the positions they are hiring for prior to the Career Fair so you can be targeted and strategic in your approach. – Caryn Statman, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

* As a potential colleague, display the confidence, enthusiasm and ability to think/speak "on your feet" – and under the microscope. – Darin Ford, Director

* Jot down something that is said in the conversation with the employer and then repeat that in your thank-you note. This communicates interest and attention to detail. The thank-you note also allows the employer to remember you. – Janet Lewis, Assistant Director-Career Counseling

Good luck on Thursday. And remember – smile!

Any tips that have worked well for you at Career Fairs?

New School Year - New Blog Title!

2010-09-13T10:20:00.003-05:00

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback about the new title for the Hegi Career Center blog. We are happy to debut the new name (cue drumroll): Destination Occupation.

We chose this name because it represents the idea that developing your career identity is a journey – and while the ultimate destination might be an occupation, the road to getting there is full of exploration, trial and error, experiences, conversations, hits, misses, and choices (sometimes lots and lots of choices).

Our goal is for this blog to be a place where we (and you, the readers!) can assist SMU students, alumni and friends with helpful information and insights as you take this journey. We look forward to hearing your ideas, thoughts and questions.

Already have some feedback or ideas for blog topics? Please comment below or e-mail me at statmanc@smu.edu.

Can’t get enough Hegi? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Fall 2010 EDU 2308: Blog #1

2010-09-04T07:13:00.003-05:00

Now that you have a couple of career development/psychological theories and career theorists under your belt, review your notes and match a theory, a quote, a theorist, etc. (choose one) to these songs below. Tell us why the song and what you selected from what we have studied so far is a good match by providing at least one concrete example from both song and career info...for all songs below.

Johnny Paycheck
Take this job and shove it

Travie McCoy
I wanna be a billionaire

Bobby McFerrin
Don't worry be happy

Corral to Career

2010-08-26T17:13:00.015-05:00

It has been a week since I departed for Mustang Corral to help welcome new students to SMU in the role of a staff mentor. We came back to the immediate immersion of the start of a new school year, so it is only now that I have had time to process all that I experienced as I traded my business causal for shorts and sunscreen.

Beyond being fun, experiences like these are great learning opportunities and have implications past the 2.5 days at camp. Below are five lessons I took away and why they are important for career development:

• Of course I attend Mustang Corral to get to know our new students, but one of the highlights for me was also getting to know my fellow staff mentors, many of whom I had never met until Corral weekend. This is a great opportunity to learn what they do and how we could possibly go from two strangers who happen to have the same employer to collaborating on a project or being a resource for each other.

As you go through your years at SMU, get to know your peers beyond your social circle, especially in your area of study. These people are going to be your colleagues in the professional world and having a built-in network of contacts, resources and partners will be extremely beneficial.

• I didn’t go to camp growing up. I’ve never been described as outdoorsy and I can’t pull off the hat look so my scalp gets sunburned. That said, I had a great time at Corral, and it is further proof that getting out of your comfort zone is a vital step toward growing as a person and maximizing opportunities. In your career development, you will likely need to do some things that do not come naturally to you, such as a networking event, but pushing your boundaries helps build your character and open doors.

• Put bug spray on before you go outside. In other words, be prepared. At Corral, I got only one mosquito bite. And what did I do immediately after I felt that biting sensation? Put on the Off spray, of course. Now if only I had thought of that idea a few minutes earlier! Sometimes we don’t know the exact steps to take or we just get lazy (read: me and the bug spray), but being ready for an interview, the first day of your internship, or that chance encounter with your dream company’s CEO takes dedicated time. It is no different than preparing for a class assignment or exam. The Hegi Career Center is here to help you with your planning, so make an appointment to see a career counselor now!

• During this Corral trip, I didn’t respond to one e-mail. If you knew me, you would know what a big deal that is! And you know what? I survived! So have fun, loosen up, and disconnect from time-to-time. The school work, voicemails, and e-mails will be waiting for you when you get off the camp bus and head back to your regular life. But we all need a break, and you will need one from your studies and your internship/job search. So take it!

• The Class of 2014 and our new transfer students are going to be awesome! I was so impressed with the maturity, kindness, humor, and open-mindedness of the Corral students, as well as the student leaders and directors. I look forward to seeing all you can accomplish at SMU and far beyond!

Were you at Mustang Corral? What did you learn?

--Caryn Statman, Assistant Director, Hegi Career Center

What Dave Chapelle and the Fabuluous Thunderbirds can teach us about Interviewing

2010-08-26T10:50:00.014-05:00

Stay with me for a moment because we are cutting across multiple generations and entertainment mediums here and I promise I'll get to the point.

When interviewing, creatively and succinctly get to your best answer when asked the question. The more you weave in and out of general statements, hiccup the obligatory "umms" all the while "things of that nature" verbal spasms are leaving your mouth---the faster the interviewers are moving toward pushing that red button. Believe me, you do not want to see that flashing red light in the interviewers' eyes.

So how do you not let them hit the "Wrap It Up" button?

1. Research the company. Know something about them that others don't and never will
2. Connect the company needs and profile to your strengths and skills at a deeper level
3. Practice (practice and practice) how to effectively make that connection in verbal and written formats

When you do that, you'll quietly hear the employer hum a tune from the Fabulous Thunderbirds (...wrap it up, I'll Take IT) as they are offering you the job!

DARS and the Hegi Career Center Summer Partnership

2010-08-26T10:30:00.005-05:00

All high school students face big transitions after graduation. But for blind and visually impaired students, the path to college and careers can present unique challenges.

Thirteen visually impaired North Texas high school students explored college and work opportunities on campus July 18-23, 2010, as part of Camp Dream, a free overnight camp sponsored by the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Blind Services, the Texas Region 10 Education Service Center and SMU’s Hegi Family Career Development Center.

Janet Lewis, assistant director of the career center, said the students met with SMU career counselors to practice communicating their skills and experiences in an interview setting. “We were so impressed by these students’ goals,” Lewis says. “Throughout the week, they learned about opportunities and resources that will make their college and career transitions successful.”

During the camp, which was in its second year at SMU, the students also visited the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, where they learned about support for students with disabilities. In addition, they shadowed North Texas professionals at work, visited area businesses and were introduced to new assisted technologies.

“This was a great opportunity for students who might not otherwise have a chance to learn what work and college are all about,” says Joseph Noland of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Blind Services.

Welcome Back Mustangs!

2010-08-18T10:26:00.010-05:00

No matter what year you are, the first day of school means one thing – you are one day closer to graduation! So, once you get settled in this semester, make sure you visit the Career Center. Call to make an appointment to meet with a Career Counselor to:

Freshmen: Discover your interests, abilities, values, personality type through one of three assessments offered.

Sophomores: Learn how to get the most out of Career Fairs and other networking events. Start applying for internships. Check out UCAN, one of our internship databases.

Juniors: Develop a specific plan of action outlining post-graduation plans. Is your resume in good shape?

Seniors: Conduct a mock interview to prepare for job and graduate school interviews. Make sure you are registered in MustangTrak for on-campus interviewing and other job postings.

And to all students, make sure you save the date for upcoming career events! You can see the entire list of fall semester events here.

Sept. 1: Career and Internship Fair Prep Day, including Resumania and Speed Networking Workshops start at 1 p.m.., Hughes-Trigg Lower Level

Sept. 16: All-Major Career and Internship Fair (see the list of employers attending)
Noon – 4 p.m., Hughes-Trigg Ballrooms

Readers, what are you most looking forward to this school year?

Maximizing Career Center Events

2010-08-05T08:26:00.004-05:00

It is with great excitement that we posted this week the schedule for the Hegi Career Center’s fall semester events! We have some great events taking place over the next 15 weeks or so and with a lot of variety, there is something for everyone! Take a look at the schedule and then follow these tips below to get the most out of these opportunities.

• Aside from the Career and Internship Fair, most events are not recruiting events. This means that even if you are not sure if you would be interested in a particular industry that an event might be focused on, attending is still a great way to learn more about it (and perhaps make that decision) and build your professional network.

• That said… it is best to treat events where employers will be in attendance like it is a recruiting event, to the extent that you are always putting your best professional foot forward. For example, you do not need to wear a suit, but don’t come in sweatpants either. There might be people there with whom one day you do want to interview and as the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” On a similar note, use the manners you know well – be on time, don’t chit chat with the friend next to you, etc.

• When professionals are present, walk up to them after the event to thank them for coming. Ask for business cards and follow-up with a thank you e-mail and/or connect on LinkedIn.

• Come prepared – whether it’s with questions, company research (if it is a recruiting event like the Career Fair), or just with an open-mind to absorb information. Most events are only an hour, so use those 60 minutes wisely!

Keep checking our website for additional information on events and participating professionals.

If you have any tips to share or any questions about the events, hit the comments section below. See you soon!

Play Ball! Advice from the Pros for Working in Sports

2010-08-02T09:19:00.005-05:00

When somebody says they “work in sports,” that could mean 100 different things. In the spring, five professionals in the sports industry spoke to students about the different career paths within the field and offered advice for those interested in pursuing a career in the industry. The professionals represented varying sports areas, such as sports marketing, professional teams, public/community relations and event management. Below are some highlights of the advice they offered to students:

• All of the professionals drove home one major point – you must get some experience and build your network. And starting doing this early, as there are many opportunities in the DFW of which to take advantage. Ways to do this:

o Internships – even if unpaid (as many sports internships are), don’t let your pride get in the way.
o Volunteer with athletic department at your university. Learn more about SMU’s department here: http://smumustangs.cstv.com/.
o Volunteer with Special Olympics, high schools, and other sports-related associations to develop and demonstrate that your interest in sports is real.
o Be a GOOD intern – work really hard and do anything that is asked, even the little things. If you do these assignments right and with a positive attitude, you will gain trust and be asked to participate in bigger projects.
o Get business cards made and contact sports professionals in the area. Offer to buy him/her a cup of coffee and conduct an informational interview. People will take the time.
o If you can’t get an internship with, for example, the Dallas Cowboys, look for who they do business with, such as corporate sponsors, and search for opportunities with them.

• Get leadership positions on campus, great way to develop your skills that will translate to a career in sports. Check out all the great options for clubs and organizations at SMU.

• Get on LinkedIn and get on it NOW!! Make sure to join any professional groups associated with sports and SMU to expand your network. Come see us at the Career Center to learn more about how to maximize LinkedIn for your job and internship search.

• Stay on top of industry trends. Read the Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily.

• Some job/internship search resources:
o http://www.teamworkonline.com/
o http://www.workinsports.com/
o http://www.talentzoo.com/ (advertising and marketing positions)
o http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/search.cfm (jobs in college athletics)
o http://www.womeninsportsandevents.com/ (WISE professional association)

• And the last piece of advice: What NOT to say in the interview they ask why you want to work in sports. The answer…. “Because I love sports.” Instead, talk about specific experiences that show your passion and interest in the industry.

The Workweek and Your Tweet-mood

2010-07-29T10:18:00.006-05:00

Even Twitter can help us reflect upon our career/life satisfaction! USA Today recently reported on a study not yet published by researchers at Northeastern University. 300 millions tweets reviewed and here's what they've found:

"Findings revealed a pattern each day — happy tweets from 6 to 7 a.m., sad tweets from noon to 4 p.m. and positive tweets again in the evening...moods also change based on the day. People are the happiest during Sunday mornings and saddest during Thursday evenings. More research is needed to figure out why, Lehmann says, but one guess is that people write "sad" tweets during the workweek."

Have a little fun. Go back and study the people you follow in the careers you're interested in. What are the positive tweets in the morning/Sunday as they look toward the day/week? Check out the Thursday night posts--especially--as they lament about the challenges not conquered during the workweek. See any patterns?

Since it's Thursday, I guess I'll go ahead prepare my saddest tweet for tonight...but come Sunday morning I'll be right as rain!

Help Us Name Our Blog!

2010-07-27T15:03:00.005-05:00

The Hegi Career Center blog needs a makeover - and we need your help for the new name! Our staff has brainstormed some ideas and while we realized we have an odd affinity toward alliteration, we could use some help in narrowing the list down and/or coming up with some brand new blog name options. If you have some favorites below or a creative idea, please leave them in the comments. If you want to be mentioned if we choose your blog title, make sure to leave your name. Thanks for your help!

Adventures in Job Hunting
Career Adventures
Career Cooks
Career Dreams
Careerkoozie
Career Saga
Career Space
Career Steps
Jack of All Jobs
Job Jester
Job Tales
Effort-Full Employment
Employment Egg
Tales for the Job Seeker

Your turn - what do you think of these... or can you do better?! Leave your ideas below!

Secret Agent Woman or Man?

2010-07-20T10:08:00.008-05:00

Interested in working for the government to help defend our country? The Washington Post has recently published a 2 year in-depth study on "Top Secret America". Among other interesting items, they have identified multiple companies and contractors who partner with our government in the "spy business".

Below are a few they have identified as working with the government in this top secret sector:

Abraxas
AT&T
Hewlett-Packard
Ratheon
Verizon
L3 Communications

Log into MustangTrak and see if you can locate the "Top Secret America" companies who are recruiting SMU students right now. Maybe you can work with the next Agent 99 or 86!

Gen Y - Does this Define You?

2010-07-20T09:10:00.005-05:00

We recently heard the “Gen Y Guy” Jason Dorsey discuss the "defining" characteristics of the Gen Y population (which he defines as those born between 1977 -1995) as it relates to work and career. Some of his main points are below. While they are helpful for those of us in career services as well as employers, you tell us – on the whole, are they accurate?

• No expectation of lifetime employment – open to a lot of jobs.
• At a job, it’s important to feel included, challenged, and valued.
• Feedback should be given often – not just at an annual review. This keeps Gen Y’ers on track and motivated.
• The Gen Y population is not tech-savvy, but rather tech-dependent. Meaning, they don’t necessarily know how it works, but just that they want it and need it!
• Value lifestyle and relationships above work, so for example, a Gen Y’er might move to a new city to be with friends without a job secured.
• The most important day of work? The first day – they will decide quickly what they think!

So if you are a Gen Y’er of if you work with the population, do these ring true to you?

This just in...the Perfect (Scientific) Handshake Discovered

2010-07-17T10:04:00.011-05:00

Don't ya just love scientists! I wonder if this applies to non-western cultures?

From the researchers at the University of Manchester, in northwest England...

Beattie's steps to the perfect handshake, for both men and women, are:

use the right hand
a complete grip and a firm squeeze (but not too strong)
a cool and dry palm; approximately three shakes, with a medium level of vigor
held for no longer than two to three seconds

The handshake must also be executed with eye contact kept throughout and a good natural smile with an appropriate verbal statement, according to the scientist.

The biggest handshake problems:

sweaty palms
limp wrists
gripping too hard
lack of eye contact

The Don't Worry ? and Be Happy Job Search

2010-07-13T09:46:00.014-05:00

Now that I've stuck that song in your head, whistle while you read below...

There seems to a powerful resonance between the human mind and simple truths. Can an effective job search strategy be simple, happy (and worry-some I would like to add) all at the same time? Yes and here's how:

Let's start with the worry-worts who are still reading this. Keep doing what you are doing. Please, worry...enough. Our brains are wonderful organic machines when in balance. What does a healthy amount of worry do you for your body? It causes the brain to release chemicals that help you focus on the perceived challenge at hand (i.e. your job search). And mental focus is where you need to begin when searching for the job that makes you happy.

Now that you are focused, the simplicity can begin. Knowing yourself (values, interests, personality strengths and skills) and meeting your basic needs (food, $$$, re-creation, etc.) gets the ball rolling. If you are a list maker, write these down and start checking them off. If you need more spontaneity and flexibility, then look for varying combinations and choose which one to do first in your job life.

Finally, let's get to the happy part cause I know what you are thinking. Ya right, let's all whistle while we work, do what we love and the $$$ will follow...yadda, yadda, yadda. Believe it or not, there is a science "to being Happy". Positive psychology teaches us that engagement and flow are necessary for true life/work satisfaction. To be truly connected to what you do allows for moments in your day where "time stops" and you become completely engrossed in the task at hand. The best part about this is that you have already done the work to be able to be engaged and "in the zone". Knowing yourself and meeting your basic needs are the keys!

So ask yourself...Are you happy?

If the answer is Yes then:
1. Keep doing it and look for more.

If the answer is No then:
1. Worry, enough.
2. Focus on knowing yourself and how you can meet your basic needs.
3. Then seek out opportunities that will allow for engagement and flow to happen in the workplace.

The Value of a Conversation

2010-07-09T16:08:00.005-05:00

Last week I attended the annual conference of the National Career Development Association . As with all conferences, I learned great tips and resources from the various sessions that I can take back and use with students and alumni. But as is often the case, the real “professional development” came from the conversations I had with my peers from across the world.

It underscored for me, once again, how important listening to and sharing with people trying to accomplish the same goals as me can really be. So why does this matter to you? Because as a job or internship searcher, you have got to be open to meeting and listening to the stories people want to tell you. You have to know people – and they have to know you too! So how does this work?

Where to go
Look for people who are doing what it is you want to do. Professional associations are a great place to get started. If you want to work in public relations, for example, go to a meeting of the local Public Relations Society of America. Many have reduced rates for students. Print up some business cards and get networking. Every profession has a corresponding organization (or two). Use this site to identify ones that are right for you.

There are many professional associations right here at SMU. Academic student organizations are a great way to network with your peers and gain exposure to a desired field. Check them out here.

Who to talk to
This one is pretty easy – everyone! You never know who might be a good contact for you, so never turn anyone down who is willing to share some professional advice. Perhaps they don’t work in your field of interest, but who knows where his/her best friend, spouse, uncle, etc. works!

Career Center events such as Speed Networking (save the date – September 1, 2010!) are great places to interact with professionals from a variety of industries. Check our site soon for our Fall 2010 events.

What to say
When you first meet someone, knowing where to get started can be difficult. Never forget the power of the elevator speech. But most importantly, be yourself – and when you don’t know what to say – stop talking because it is probably time you listen anyway!

Readers, what positive experiences have you had by a chance conversation?

--Caryn Statman, Assistant Director, SMU Hegi Career Center

Government Employment and Your College Major

2010-07-08T10:50:00.010-05:00

Students are often excited about the possibility of working for the Federal Government and yet wonder what is the RIGHT MAJOR for that particular government agency or career path.

Wonder no more...Uncle Sam Wants YOU to know...http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/jobsbycollegemajor.asp

ANY MAJOR
Environmental Protection
Civil Rights Analyst
Personnel occupations
Administrative Officer
Management Analyst
Logistics Management
Paralegal Specialist
Contract Representative
Claims Examining
Public Affairs
Writing and Editing
Internal Revenue Officer
Contract Administration
General Investigator
Air Traffic Controller
Supply Management

LIBERAL ARTS/HUMANITIES
Contact Representatives
Customs Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Compliance Spec.
Management Analysts
Pers. Management Spec.
Program Analysts
Social Insurance Claims Examiners
Veterans Claims Exam.
Educ. Services Spec.

Click on the link above to learn more!

The Destructo-Salesperson and Your Job Search Pitch

2010-06-23T15:25:00.007-05:00

We have all been in one of those situations via phone or in person. The WAAYY over the top aggressive sales pitch. Where did it all go wrong for the salesperson as they unfortunately lost you as a customer? A recent McKinsey survey details the the most destructive behaviors of business-to-business (b2b) sales reps:

1. Too much contact with customers.
2. Inadequate product knowledge.
3. Lack of knowledge about usefulness of their business product to the customer's business.

Great but how does this help me with my job search? Let's look above and translate these destructive b2b behaviors and turn them into positive job search skills.

Positive Job Search Pitch
1. Contact recruiters, employers, etc. on a consistent basis when you have something new to share. After the interview, a thank you note is nice. Be patient and wait for them to respond to you. Be concise, direct, and "interested" in the follow up communication.

2. You are the product in the job search. Know your skills, values, personality strengths and interests as if your job depended on it. It does! Knowing your strengths and challenges will come in handy.

3. Connect those useful personal attributes (product) to the job description or company philosophy (the customer's business) every time you get the chance. Research the company and artfully connect 2-3 components of the job to 2-3 personal attributes. Make it easy for the employer to view you as their next productive colleague.

So About That Job Search....

2010-05-20T15:28:00.002-05:00

By Caryn Statman, Assistant Director

On behalf of the Career Center, congratulations to the Class of 2010! We hope you have been enjoying this time of accomplishment and are looking forward to the next adventure.

So here’s the thing, when I graduated college, I had no job lined up and I didn’t even know what a Career Center was, much less how and when I should use it. If you are reading this blog, then it probably means you at least know SMU has a Career Center, but if that is as far as you have gotten, the good news is you have lifetime services at the Career Services as an alumni, so it is not too late to come see us.

In the meantime, here are 5 pieces of advice we want to impart to you as you initiate and/or go about your job search:

5. You have probably heard it before, but seriously, tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job – and if you know, tell them what industry/area it is in which you are interested. You might think you do not have any contacts, but once you start telling people what you want; you will be surprised at the people they know… who know other people… etc. If you are not already using LinkedIn to help you do this, stop reading and set up your profile now. We’re happy to help you maximize this resource, so make an appointment! Click on this informative guide for getting started as well.

4. I know you know you need to network – but are you doing it? And no, online networking is not enough. Enjoy the summer weather and hit an SMU alumni event. Based on your industry, find a local chapter of a related professional association and start attending meetings. These are great not just for networking, but for education and development in your field of interest.

3. Have the best resume, cover letter, portfolio, references, and interviewing skills possible. School is out and if you are not employed yet, then it means you have a lot of time on your hands. There is no excuse to not be as prepared as possible. Hegi Career Counselors are happy to help you with all of these areas. Also check out our online resources with guides and tips for developing these skills and materials.

2. It is not necessary to take the first offer you receive, just because you received it. Make sure you carefully evaluate the offer (and go beyond just compensation) to make sure it is a good fit for you at this time. Ask yourself: What can I learn here? Can I grow? Did the office environment seem to match the type where I work well? On the other hand, do not hold out for “perfect” either. For one thing, it does not exist and you have bills to pay. And more importantly, your first job will not be your last. It is okay if you take a position that is not exactly what you had in mind or where you eventually want to end up. Just absorb all you can and take it with you to your next stop.

1. My mother always told me (and still does) that “patience is a virtue.” I’m not sure how virtuous I am in this area as I can be infamously impatient, but this couldn’t be truer as it relates to a job search. And it is not just because of “the economy.” Even in the best of times, a job search takes time, dedication, and discernment to ensure you are making a sound decision in the end. Find things besides your job search to do to relax and enjoy being out of school – just don’t forget to put in class-like time and energy to your search!

So tell us, Class of 2010, you graduated about a week ago -- how is it going so far?!

Internships: Paid/Unpaid and Benefits

2010-05-05T10:15:00.003-05:00

From NACE...

Internship Programs Feed Full-Time Hiring

What is the purpose of internship programs, according to employers?

Among employers responding to NACE’s 2010 Internship Survey, 83.4 percent say internship programs are designed to help the organization recruit entry-level college hires. Around one-third (31.1 percent) say the programs are there to help students gain experience, and just under 20 percent report offering internships as a way to build relationships with key schools. (Note: Respondents were able to offer multiple answers.)

Running counter to recent reports in the national media, most respondents say they pay their interns. On average, 98.6 percent of respondents’ interns are paid. In fact, more than 90 percent of responding employers reported they pay all their interns...

The survey also found a correlation between doing an internship—either with the full-time employing organization or elsewhere—and staying on the job....At the five-year mark, approximately 64 percent of those who had served an internship—either at the employing organization or elsewhere—were still on the job, compared with 57 percent of their colleagues who had not served internships...http://www.naceweb.org/Publications/Spotlight_Online/2010/0428/Internship_Programs_Feed_Full-Time_Hiring.aspx

EDU 2308 Spring '10: Blog #5 Passion for Presentation

2010-04-26T11:41:00.003-05:00

Verbal and Written Communication Skills are key to your career search and success. Employers and Graduate Schools salivate over quality applications and interviews! Our wonderful guest speaker modeled for us how to be passionate about a presentation.

Knowing your personal strengths, how will you "convert Hear-ers into Listen-ers" when seeking your next career opportunity?

EDU 2308 Spring '10: Blog #4 Your Bunko Secret Lesson

2010-04-23T10:59:00.002-05:00

Now that we have given you the 6 Secret Lessons to On The Job Success, it's your turn to create the 7th.

Offer up your Secret Lesson below and give us 3 concrete reasons as to why if we don't follow this 7th rule it will create Momentdumb for all!

EDU 2308 Spring '10: Blog #3 Harassment in the Work Place

2010-04-22T06:56:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately sexual harassment in the work environment happens to both men and women. Since SMU is your "work place" it can happen to students as well. Discuss why the "power differential" is most important component of this form of harassment and what SMU students can do to protect themselves.

Careers in Healthcare Panel Summary

2010-03-22T15:01:00.004-05:00

The Hegi Family Career Development Center recently featured a panel discussion for careers in healthcare. Panelists representing areas of medical and nursing practice; medical device development and sales; human resources; and research talked about the variety of careers available in one of the fastest -growing industries. Careers range from nursing to medical technology to education to supply chain to sales. The panelists gave a number of tips for students interested in exploring this area, including:

• Consider job shadowing to learn more about a company or an industry.
• Internships are crucial. Many areas of the medical field have built-in internships, but for those interested in sales, human resources, business operations and technology, an internship in the area of interest will not only provide experience but also networking opportunities.
• Build your networks. Take advantage of opportunities to meet people in your field who come to campus, talk with professionals, join clubs and organizations that put you in touch with people in your field of interest.
• There are careers in the healthcare industry for all majors. It is not necessary to major in biology or science although having some background in this area may help those who want to work on the business or human resource side. One panelist stated that military experience had been valuable.

Don’t be afraid to start in one area and branch out. You will not always be able to start with your dream job but if you get a job in a related area, there is an opportunity to move into other areas that interest you. All of the panelists stated that they did not start in the job that they have now, rather it has been a process and with each position they have learned something new.

--Janet Lewis, Assistant Director, Hegi Family Career Development Center

Graduate School: Mad about You?

2010-03-16T12:58:00.001-05:00

Many SMU students consider, research, apply and are accepted into graduate school each year. Our Career Center colleagues in Austin introduced us to this new film: Naturally Obsessed: the making of a scientist. It tracks three PhD's who are involved in X-ray crystallography but I would venture a guess that their story applies to almost all who strive toward a terminal degree.

Have not seen it yet but I did read this review which says this about the film->> "While anyone who has earned a PhD degree understands what drove them to do it, it is difficult to explain to others that the decision has little to do with career paths and salary considerations and is largely driven by passion— and perhaps more aptly—obsession..."

So it's not all about the money or career path, huh? Would it be a passion or obsession for you?

Salary and Gender

2010-03-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

As we approach the month of May, many SMU college students are quickly heading into their next phase of life->graduation. I nterviewing and salary negotiations tend to be hot topics for these soon to be graduates.

Did you know that college-educated working women earn an average of 80¢ for every $1 earned by their male counterparts one year after graduation? Ten years later, they fall further behind earning only 69¢ per $1 earned by college educated men.
How can this wage gap exist in 2010?

EDU 2308 Spring '10: Blog #2

2010-02-17T08:17:00.000-06:00

Your résumé must quickly answer the one question that's on every employer's mind: "What can you do for me?"
1. Using your newly acquired resume knowledge select which Objective statement below that does this best.
2. Then discuss what constructive feedback you would offer the other two applicants so they could improve their statement.

Objective Statement:
Applicant A.: Seeking a position where I can utilize my personal strengths and advertising experience in an atmosphere with potential for career advancement
Applicant B: Seeking a position where 3 years of sales, marketing, and management experience will add value to operations
Applicant C: Seeking a position where strong work ethic, leaderships skills, and the ability to succeed as a team member are valued

Succeeding at the Career & Internship Fair

2010-02-15T08:21:00.000-06:00

With the Career & Internship Fair coming up on Thursday, Feb. 18, we are re-posting our fall blog with tips to prepare for and make the most out of the fair!

By Janet Lewis
Assistant Director, Hegi Career Center

With upcoming tests, papers and assignments, it is hard to think about making time think about your career, but consider that papers lead to a grade to a degree and to a career. The Career & Internship Fair leads to connections with job opportunities. Job possibilities can turn into job actualities.

Here are a few tips on how to make the most of the time you do have at the Career & Internship Fair on Thursday, Feb. 18:

First: You need to have a plan.
Learn about the companies that will be attending the Fair. These are listed on the Career Center website: www.smu.edu/career. Make a list of the companies that you would like to contact. Go to the company websites to learn more. Write down two or three things you like about the company. You can use this information when you talk with the employers.

Second: Take time to prepare.
A nice inexpensive portfolio will hold several copies of your resume, paper and a pen, well as the business cards you collect from the company representatives. Include any research you have done on a company that you want to remember.

Decide what you will wear. A suit is recommended.

Take some time to practice your approach. Introduce yourself, talk about your major, your accomplishments, and career interests. Practicing this ahead of time will help you present a confident image to the employer. Prepare some questions to ask the employers based on your company research. Briefly state your interest in the company.

Third: Your strategy for the Career & Internship Fair visit.
Arrive early and take some time to locate the companies that you want to visit. Approach the representative with a confident smile and a handshake. Introduce yourself and briefly describe your interest and accomplishments. Ask the employer any questions that you have about their programs and positions. Plan to spend no more than 5-8 minutes with each employer. Be sensitive to others waiting. You may offer your resume, however, some companies have rules about taking resumes. They may ask you to apply for the position on line.

Thank the representative and ask for a business card. If the representative does not have a card, note his or her name and take one of the pamphlets on the table that has the company address on it. That way you can write a note to follow-up with companies in which you are interested. Make any notes on your conversation on the back of the business card. Follow up with a thank you note within 24 hours.

Career Fairs are a great way to develop contacts with companies, and contacts are key in building your network of professionals in your field. The job search is hard work but the pay-off continues for a very long time.

What are your questions as you start to get ready for the Fair on Feb. 18?

EDU 2308 Spring '10: Blog #1

2010-01-29T09:24:00.000-06:00

Planned Happenstance, a concept developed by Kathleen Mitchell and John Krumboltz, relies on "following your curiosity". This means tuning in to what you're naturally drawn to doing or learning about in the world around you. The happenstance part has to do with noticing chance events and situations (which you couldn't have anticipated) and recognizing them as opportunities. The planned part has to do with both adopting a conscious attitude of receptiveness to your own interests and to chance events, and taking steps to act on these.

*Your task is to design a future Planned Happenstance event by using the definitions above.

So, Tell Me About Yourself...

2010-01-28T12:51:00.000-06:00

As on-campus recruiting gets underway and you start lining up interviews for jobs or summer internships, it’s a good time to check up on your interviewing skills, including that ubiquitous first question: “Tell me about yourself.” Should it be your whole life story? Only focused on the job? Include your hobbies? No need to panic, follow the guideline below when thinking about this answer.

• Present: Start with what is current. What year you are in school, what is your major, where are you from.
• Past: Talk briefly (you will have more time in other questions) about internships, coursework or any other experience that is related to the job for which you are interviewing. Also a good time to mention if you studied abroad.
• Future: End the answer by tying it back to the potential job at hand. “And that’s why I am really excited to be interviewing here today, because…”

Keep in mind, this answer is a 60-90 second response, so talk about you – but as it relates to the job. For more tips, attend the Interview for Success workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 24. And check out all Career Center events here.

So tell us: What is the toughest interview question you've had to answer? How do you prepare?

--Caryn Statman, Assistant Director, SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center

Become A Shadow Over Break

2009-12-08T16:03:00.000-06:00

Taking time to learn about different industries and companies is a significant part of the process of figuring out what it is you want to do for a career. While there are many resources for doing this – the Internet, books, informational interviewing – there is no better way to find out what happens at a particular job than witnessing someone doing it first-hand.

Job shadowing is an excellent way to accomplish this and using your upcoming Winter Break is a great time for setting this up. It is the opportunity to spend time with a professional while they go about their day-to-day work at their place of business. You might visit them for an afternoon or for several days over the break.

Here are some tips for setting up a job shadow opportunity:
• Start with your own network of family and friends (and their families and friends).
• Request a job shadow with plenty of advance notice. Most likely you will need to follow-up with the employer once or twice before you get your answer.

Once you have secured your job shadow placement, use these tips to make the most out of the experience:
• Ask questions. Write down your questions as you go through the day, and at the end, ask the employer if you can spend some time talking about them.
• Be open to meeting everyone you can. You never know who might end up being a great contact for you.
• Always send a thank-you note to the person you shadowed. Ask if you can keep in touch as you go through your career decision-making process and your job search.

For more information about job shadowing, check out these tips: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_shadowing.html

Have you ever job shadowed? What was your experience like?

--Caryn Statman, Assistant Director, Hegi Family Career Development Center

What Guides Your Resume Content? Passion

2009-11-23T16:20:00.000-06:00

We are excited to welcome guest blogger and Career Center Advocate Alex Castriota to the Hegi blog. Alex is a Senior graduating in Fall 2010 and double-majoring in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs and Economics, with a minor in History.

Are you worried about too much white space on your résumé? Don’t panic. This is one of those times where quality is what matters, not quantity. When a resume is loaded up with clubs and organizations, be prepared to talk about each and every one of them. I have worked in a number of work environments from a Chevrolet dealership to a movie theater to a hospital, and one thing has been consistent wherever I go: Passion.

When you load up your résumé with dozens of clubs and activities, it can be difficult to find that one true passion that drives you. While in high school, I applied for a job at the local movie theater to make some extra money. During the interview, the manager asked normal questions about my work ethic and capabilities. However, a good portion of the interview was spent talking about movies. After the interview, I asked why he was so eager to understand my taste in movies. His answer: passion. He said that he didn’t care if he was hiring a new manager or someone to clean the empty theaters at night, all he wanted in his theater was a staff full of people who loved movies and wanted to see the theater succeed.

That conversation stuck with me for a long time as I finished high school and traveled halfway across the country to attend SMU. Over this past summer, I had the privilege of working for a nationally recognized hospital and acute care facility in Tampa, Florida. During my time, I had a number of opportunities to meet with the CEO and discuss my interest in hospital administration and other careers. During our conversations, the idea of passion kept entering the arena. One of the reasons passion was so important to him had to do with the philosophy of the hospital. In maintaining a staff of caring and passionate people, patients will have a much better chance of receiving a high level of quality health care.

So when it comes time to really start working on your résumé, make it easier on yourself and fill it with what you love to do. Just attending meetings and paying dues is not showing passion. Your resume is you translated onto a piece of bland white paper, making what’s on it even more important. Just be yourself, let your passions shine on that sheet of paper and an employer will see your true value and potential. --- T. Alex Castriota

Become a “Daily Planner Kind of Guy” (or Gal)

2009-11-20T08:49:00.000-06:00

By Nancy Barry
Speaker and Author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know

When my son was in high school and college, he never used a planner or calendar. I never quite understood how he could keep up with everything, but somehow he did. Chris graduated from college in 2007 and is now serving in the Peace Corps in Guatemala. Several months ago, he sent me an email and said, “You will be happy to know that I have become a daily planner kind of guy. I am dependent on it.” He came home for a visit this summer (with his planner!) and told me he doesn’t know how he ever lived without it.

While you’re in college, you’ll want to become a “daily planner kind of guy” (or gal). In addition to creating a system to keep up with all your class assignments, you’ll be developing a great way to keep up with all the work you’ll be assign when you launch your career.

EDU 2308: Blog 6

2009-11-03T16:52:00.000-06:00

We often hear students express concern that they do not have “anything” to put on their resumes and there is no way they can fill a whole page. But most of the time, this is just a simple case of thinking about only paid jobs or career-related internships. However, there are many different experiences that have a place on your resume.

Choose two (2) skill-building experiences below that you can highlight to an employer and list (1) one example per experience that could be included on your resume:

1. Academic projects: In some classes, semester-long projects or intensive research assignments are similar to internships and valuable skills and knowledge are gained. Consider an “Academic Highlights” section on your resume.

2. Leadership and involvement on campus: Don’t just list the clubs you are involved in or the titles of the positions you hold. Explain them, just like you would work experience. Be results-oriented and talk about what you have accomplished, not just what you did.

3. Volunteer work and community service: Promote your well-roundedness and your awareness of the world around you.

4. Study Abroad and international experience: In our global economy, these experiences are extremely valuable to employers, so make sure they are highlighted either in an International Experience section or throughout your resume.

Want to Go Global?

2009-10-29T09:20:00.000-05:00

Opportunities to live and work abroad abound as our society becomes more global. International experiences provide avenues for personal and professional growth, the enhancement of both language and communication skills, and the development of a certain flexibility, resourcefulness, and creativity that being out of your own comfort zone demands.

Here are four ways to consider getting an international position:

• You can go abroad for seasonal or short-term work. These jobs tend to be in the tourism and service industries and do not usually require a lot of experience. They provide the chance for travel to a number of places, working as you go. Hotels and cruise lines are good places to begin your search. Travel information and visas can be obtained while still in the United States through organizations such as BUNAC (http://www.bunac.org/) which is a work abroad program that will provide job leads, help with work permits, and support while abroad.

• You can work for a volunteer organization such as Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/) or Global Volunteers (http://www.globalvolunteer.org/). Frequently you sign on to work for a specific period of time and the work is usually in the area of education or community development. These organizations frequently provide a stipend for the work experience. You apply for the position and obtain the necessary work permits while in the United States.

• You can work as an intern. Although many international internships are not paid, they can lead to great career experience and the ability to network within an overseas context. You can check out the internships with US embassies, the Foreign Service, and the State Department. NGOs such as the United Nations, World Bank, and World Health Organizations offer internship opportunities in many different countries. You need to apply early for these internships, so watch for the deadlines.

• You can work for an American company with international branches. Many large companies have international branches and it is easier to be hired by an American company than by a company based abroad. Keep in mind that most of the time these companies will not be hiring entry-level workers for overseas positions, so plan to work in a US office for a period of time before being assigned overseas. A second language is essential for some overseas positions, however in many countries the trade language is English. Once you have been assigned to an overseas job, these companies usually provide for travel, housing, visas, and work permits.

Get some more resources for your international job or internship search here.

Find an Accountability Partner

2009-10-22T12:39:00.000-05:00

By Nancy Barry
Speaker and Author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know

Have you ever been around someone who did something that drove you crazy? It’s possible that it drove you so crazy it’s all you could focus on. Perhaps they twirl their hair all the time or they tap their leg under the table where everyone in the room can feel it. Or, the one that drives everyone crazy is when someone constantly says “like”, “um” or “ah” when they speak.

If you were in a conversation with someone or listening to a speaker and they constantly said those words, it would be very distracting. You would start focusing on the number of times they said “like”, “um” or “ah” and you wouldn’t hear anything else they had to say.

Your accountability partner needs to be one of your best friends. Best friends are honest and they tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. Many times we do or say things and don’t even realize we’re doing them until someone brings them to our attention. Your accountability partner will bring distracting habits to your attention, and then it’s your responsibility to stop doing them.

You want people to focus on you, rather than being distracted by things you may do or say.

FALL 09: EDU 2308 BLOG #5

2009-10-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

Levinson's adult development theory has two key components:
1. Forming a Dream that is defined as something generates a sense of "vitality and excitement."

2. Developing a relationship with a Mentor that will help you clarify and focus your Dream. Mentor is defined in its most basic form as "a friendship with someone who is a little more experienced, who acts as a guide in regard to a new career, profession, job, or development state."

Define a Dream (non-monetary) and tell us how your Mentor will help you focus and clarify your career goals.

FALL 09: EDU 2308 BLOG #4

2009-09-28T12:41:00.001-05:00

How can both the CIP model and the Multicultural model work together when looking at your specific career direction?

Procrastination is Painful

2009-09-22T15:52:00.000-05:00

The Hegi Family Career Development Center team is proud to welcome advisory board member, Nancy Barry, as a guest blogger. Nancy is a speaker, Gen Y expert and the author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know. One of her passions is helping young adults be successful in their careers. She speaks on college campuses across the country sharing the secrets to success. Nancy will be sharing some of those secrets and other words of wisdom in her posts. To learn more about Nancy and her book, please visit her website, www.nancybarry.com.

By Nancy Barry
Speaker and Author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know

Do you tend to procrastinate? Be honest. I’ve done my fair share of procrastinating over the years, and here’s what I’ve learned – it’s not worth it. Stop and think about how much mental energy you waste thinking about what you need to do. It would have taken less time and mental energy if you just did it.

If you’re a procrastinator, try to figure out why. Do you avoid projects that take a lot of time? Or the projects where you don’t have all the information you need to get started? Are you putting it off because you don’t think you have the time to make it perfect?

Procrastination is a survival mechanism to avoid something we fear. The irony is the fear actually builds the longer we procrastinate, so putting it off makes things worse. It’s easy to procrastinate on projects that are so big you don’t have a clue where to start. If you’re assigned a big project, break it down into manageable chunks, so you won’t be overwhelmed by the size of it. Set intermediate deadlines, and you’ll have a better chance of getting the project completed on time.

Procrastination leaves little time for the unexpected – the computer developing an attitude, the printer running out of ink, or realizing at the last minute that you don’t have some important information you need to complete the report. What if you get invited to something special and have to decline because you’ve procrastinated on a big project?

Make a list of all the things you’ve been putting off. Prioritize the list and do them, one by one. You’ll sleep better at night and be a lot less stressed!

FALL 09: EDU 2308 BLOG #3

2009-09-18T09:47:00.001-05:00

When you think about your future career, which will you be doing: Working to live or Living to work? Explain your answer.

List as many variables as you can think of that describe what will give meaning to your career. (Example: recognition, fame, popularity, healing the sick, respected......etc......)

Do you think if someone lives for her work, and it defines her entire life, that she has a better life than someone who works just to put food on the table? Explain.

Maximize Your Career & Internship Fair Visit

2009-09-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

By Janet Lewis
Assistant Director, Hegi Career Center

With upcoming tests, papers and assignments, it is hard to think about making time think about your career, but consider that papers lead to a grade to a degree and to a career. The Career & Internship Fair leads to connections with job opportunities. Job possibilities can turn into job actualities.

Here are a few tips on how to make the most of the time you do have at the Career & Internship Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 16:

First: You need to have a plan.
Learn about the companies that will be attending the Fair. These are listed on the Career Center website: www.smu.edu/career. Make a list of the companies that you would like to contact. Go to the company websites to learn more. Write down two or three things you like about the company. You can use this information when you talk with the employers.

Second: Take time to prepare.
A nice inexpensive portfolio will hold several copies of your resume, paper and a pen, well as the business cards you collect from the company representatives. Include any research you have done on a company that you want to remember.

Decide what you will wear. A suit is recommended.

Take some time to practice your approach. Introduce yourself, talk about your major, your accomplishments, and career interests. Practicing this ahead of time will help you present a confident image to the employer. Prepare some questions to ask the employers based on your company research. Briefly state your interest in the company.

Third: Your strategy for the Career & Internship Fair visit.
Arrive early and take some time to locate the companies that you want to visit. Approach the representative with a confident smile and a handshake. Introduce yourself and briefly describe your interest and accomplishments. Ask the employer any questions that you have about their programs and positions. Plan to spend no more than 5-8 minutes with each employer. Be sensitive to others waiting. You may offer your resume, however, some companies have rules about taking resumes. They may ask you to apply for the position on line.

Thank the representative and ask for a business card. If the representative does not have a card, note his or her name and take one of the pamphlets on the table that has the company address on it. That way you can write a note to follow-up with companies in which you are interested. Make any notes on your conversation on the back of the business card. Follow up with a thank you note within 24 hours.

Career Fairs are a great way to develop contacts with companies, and contacts are key in building your network of professionals in your field. The job search is hard work but the pay-off continues for a very long time.

What are your questions as you start to get ready for the Fair on September 16?

FALL 09: EDU 2308 BLOG #2

2009-09-08T08:41:00.000-05:00

Describe what you believe is the difference between ETHICS and VALUES.

How, if at all, might one influence the other? Is one rooted in what society believes more than the other? Is one rooted in personal beliefs more so than than the other? Explain your views.

Finally, in what ways will both influence your long term career plans?

FALL 09: EDU 2308 ASSESS YOUR CURRENT STATUS

2009-08-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Describe your current career planning 'situation'. Are you lost and without a plan? Are you sort of decided and sort of undecided? Is your future as clear as a vivid dream? Describe your thoughts and feelings about your career plans and provide some insight as to how learning about career development theory might help you attain your goals.

3 Things You Should Do After Your Summer Internship

2009-08-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

The Hegi Family Career Development Center team is proud to welcome advisory board member, Nancy Barry, as a guest blogger. Nancy is a speaker, Gen Y expert and the author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know. One of her passions is helping young adults be successful in their careers. She speaks on college campuses across the country sharing the secrets to success. Nancy will be sharing some of those secrets and other words of wisdom in her posts. To learn more about Nancy and her book, please visit her website, www.nancybarry.com.

By Nancy Barry
Speaker and Author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know

In an earlier post, Holly Rogers, SMU Hegi Career Center Intern, offered some great advice about internships. As you near the end of your internship or other summer employment, there are three things you should do before you head back to school.

1. Send a thank-you note to your manager. Let them know how much you enjoyed the summer (even if every single day wasn’t enjoyable!) and thank them for giving you the opportunity to learn from them. You can send your manager an email, but if you really want to stand above the crowd, send a handwritten thank-you note.

2. Ask for a recommendation letter. It’s always a good idea to keep a file of recommendation letters and it will be easier to ask for it now than when you’re pressed for time when you apply for a job down the road.

3. Update your resume. You should always keep your resume updated, so go ahead and add your summer employment while you’re thinking about it. Be specific about the tasks you performed and results you achieved.

Best of luck to you as you begin your fall semester.

From Dance to Management Science, Internship Program Has Something for Everyone

2009-08-08T11:24:00.001-05:00

By Jessica Lewis

Assistant Director, Hegi Family Career Development Center

Great News! This summer, 17 SMU students were selected for the prestigious DFW ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program (ExxonMobil CSJP)!

Have you heard about this program? Please say yes – my colleagues and I practically stand on our heads in efforts to get the word out, but in case we’ve missed you here’s a little background.

The ExxonMobil CSJP partners with 75 local nonprofit organizations to provide full-time college students with an eight-week paid (yes, I said PAID) internship that allows them to gain experience in a wide range of nonprofit community organizations. With 75 agency participants, there is something for everyone whether you’re a History, Dance, Marketing or Management Science major. And the greatest part about this program is these are professional and educational internships that provide students with high-quality, real-world experience and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects. Just like students have to apply and interview for these positions, so do the nonprofit organizations which means you will not be stuck with the sole task of making coffee and running copies all summer long (but just know that a little bit of that is to be expected in any job).

But don’t take my word for it; here are excerpts from testimonials of current SMU students participating in the ExxonMobil CSJP:

Marielle Perrault ‘10, Double Major: Dance and Advertising: I am the summer Event Coordinator for the Dance Council this summer. I spend time creating the Program/Playbill, l as well as all marketing materials, for two performances (the National Tap Dance Celebration at the Music Hall at Fair Park & Taste Dance Addison Style). I also am in charge of creating the weekly email that goes out to all our patrons informing them about jobs, auditions, performances and other dance opportunities in North Texas. I also am in charge of organizing all aspects (sound, laying the stage, contacting performers, creating waivers etc) for the "Taste Dance Addison Style: performance. My favorite part, however, was designing the T-shirts for sale at the National Tap Dance Celebration!

I have greatly improved my skills in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. This internship has prepared me for future marketing work. I've also developed great organizational skills because, as with most nonprofit organizations, there are not enough people in the office for all the work we have to get done.

It's very busy and I'm given a lot of responsibilities. I love what I'm doing there, however, so it’s not stressful.
It just requires lots of focus, organization and time management skills. I've also made great contacts in the dance world.

Blanca Ruiz ‘09, Triple Major: Economics, Psychology, and Spanish: I am an intern with Gilda's Club North Texas which provides a warm and inviting home-like setting where men, women and children living with cancer—as well as their families and friends can join with others to build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care. My responsibilities as an intern include advancing a multi-year marketing plan targeting North Texas Latino families while providing information about the Gilda's Club program for men, women, and children living with cancer. I am also expanding the Spanish Language program for Latino families and members of the community at large.

This internship has helped increase my communication and interpersonal skills tremendously, since I interact with a variety of people on a daily basis and
often do presentations in front of hundreds of individuals.
Jake Boyd ‘10, Major: Finance: This summer, I interned with Mothers Against Drunk Driving as a Court Monitor. I went the Dallas County Court House every day and watched DWI trials. I would typically see 2-3 DWI trials a week and I took notes during each trial. This helps MADD get a grip on the current trends in the court house involving punishment, etc. It also helps MADD establish a presence in the court house. My communication skills have improved greatly due to this internship, as well as organizational skills. It was imperative for me to interact with several attorneys every day and thus important for me to have strong communication skills. This internship has also helped me prepare for my future career. I am pre-law, and being in the court house every day was an eye opener for me to the criminal world. I have been exposed to civil law (my dad is in civil litigation), but I had not really been exposed to criminal law before this internship. After experiencing criminal law, it makes me want to go into civil law even more.

This internship was a great and exciting opportunity for me, and I am very glad I was able to have this experience.

Whether it is your long-term goal to work in a nonprofit organization or not, internships like these are excellent ways to build not only your resume but also your skill set. Nancy Berry, author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know, was recently a guest blogger for the Hegi Family Career Development Center and she encouraged all of you to explore your options. You can use internships to figure out what you want to do and even what you don’t want to do. So with that in mind, I hope you’ll take a look at the nonprofit sector and particularly the ExxonMobil CSJP this next summer. Keep a close eye on the career center web site, www.smu.edu/career at the beginning of the spring semester as details regarding the program will be posted.

Other 2009 ExxonMobil CSJP NonProfit Agencies that hired SMU students include:
• Angel Flight Inc.
• ChildCareGroup
• City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs
• Creative Arts Center
• Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity

• Dallas Community Lighthouse
• Dallas Community Lighthouse

• Dallas Heritage Village
• Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance

• Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
• Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas

• Irving Cares, Inc.
• Kitchen Dog Theatre

• Methodist Dallas Medical Center

Selected SMU students represented the following majors:
• Creative Advertising • Political Science
• Cinema Television • Public Policy
• Economics • Management Science
• English • Marketing
• Finance • Spanish
• History • Studio Art
• Journalism • Theatre

So, what would be your ideal internship next summer?

What's On Your Mind?

2009-08-04T08:09:00.000-05:00

Students and Alums! Summer is drawing to a close and we are busy getting ready for a new year -- new students, new events, and new career and internship trends. As we plan, we want to know what you have been thinking about this summer as it pertains to your career needs. What questions would you like to have answered or topics would you like more information about through our blog? Let us know what has been on your mind, either in the comments section below or feel free to e-mail questions or topic requests directly to career counselor Caryn Statman, statmanc@smu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

Welcome to the Class of 2013

2009-07-30T10:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Class of 2013
By Nancy Barry
Speaker and Author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know

Welcome to SMU! You’re about to experience some of the best years of your life. Brace yourself, because the next four years are going to fly by. Before you know it, you’ll be graduating from SMU and starting your career.

There are two questions every college freshman is asked over and over again. The first question is, “What are you going to major in?” The second question is, “What do you want to do when you graduate?” (Do these questions sound familiar?!) I’ve often wondered how we expect a freshman in college to be able to answer these questions.

Some of you could answer the questions when you were in junior high. Some of you think you know what you want to major in. Some of you don’t have a clue what you want to do when you graduate from college and that’s OK. I have some great news for you. The Hegi Family Career Development Center team will help you find the answers to both of these questions.

After you get settled in, promise me you’ll go visit the Career Development Center located in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. They have an amazing team of counselors who will assist you in identifying career options through exploration of your interests, values, abilities and experiences.

The staff can also help you secure internships during your college years, which is one of the best ways to figure out what career you might want to pursue when you graduate. I encourage you to become best friends with the CDC team. Take advantage of every service they offer (resume and cover letter development, interviewing skills and job search planning) and attend every workshop and career fair they host.

You won’t want to wait until your senior year to start thinking about your career. Your future starts now, as a freshman. Go Mustangs!

Internships with a Purpose

2009-07-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

By Holly Rogers

SMU Hegi Career Center Intern

The movie Hitch struck a chord with me, especially with the motivating quote, “Begin each day as if it were on purpose.” In many ways, this quote can be applied to different areas of life such as starting the day in a meaningful way, which I now see as a parallel to making the most of an internship. Currently as an intern at the SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center I am gaining a whole new learning component to my educational experience of working on my Master’s in Counseling. As part of my master’s program there is a key component of two semesters of internship at a site related to the specific counseling concentration I am working towards, which in my case happens to be the college population. In any new experience a key aspect is on-site internship training, supervision, projects, and displaying your skills in the position. In any internship experience it is always important to take advantage of the experience to help gain knowledge in the specific career area and challenge your abilities by being ready to try different opportunities that may be presented.

During my internship I have been given a great opportunity to explore an area of interest of blending the elements of counseling, working with the college population, and assistance with career-related needs. As an intern, a key ingredient of helping me adjust to my internship was finding a work environment that fit my personality, interests, and values, while also utilizing my skills and challenging me to learn more. One of the first ways that helped me adjust was having supportive supervisors, resourceful staff, and extensive training on different aspects of the career- planning process related to students. Another way to utilize an internship is being up for anything -- whether it is from helping with research, eagerness to assist on projects, taking opportunities such as doing presentations, and not being afraid to take on a challenge. Finally, in any internship it helps to ask for feedback on performance, get regular supervision, and never be afraid to ask questions.

Tips on the Internship Search and Experience

How to find the ideal internship opportunity:
• Figure out the 5 W’s ( Where, When, What, Want, and Why regarding your internship)
• Start searching early to make sure you do not miss out on internship opportunities of the greatest interest
• Make use of meeting with an Academic Advisor and talking with instructors in your major to find out about possible internship opportunities
• Networking with family, friends, past employers, and supervisors from previous internships
• Volunteer in different areas to learn about specifics of specific career path
• Make use of the career center for career fairs, internship interviews, and understanding use of school’s internship search engine such as Mustang-Trak for SMU students
• Do not be afraid to call around to places of interest for internships to see if they are accepting interns
• Always stay motivated and do not get discouraged when looking-- just continue to apply, call, and network with others regarding internship opportunities

Ways to Make the Most of an Internship:
• Do not be afraid to ask questions or get assistance when needed
• Always display an optimistic and go-getter attitude
• Be up for taking on new projects or experiences to learn more about a particular company or provide assistance
• Be willing to challenge yourself with different projects and be willing to take on more
• Take advantage of supervision opportunities to help learn ways to improve abilities, gain insight into performance, and increase level of knowledge about the field
• It is important to maintain good communications with all of the staff and it may serve in the future for a useful networking tool

Back to Basics

2009-06-01T15:45:00.000-05:00

By Caryn Statman
Assistant Director & Career Counselor, Hegi Career Center

When I was growing up, there was this popular poster that my friends and I all had in our bedrooms – "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. It showed how the simplest lessons we were taught when we were 5-years-old go far beyond the playground or naptime. Tips for life such as “Clean up your own mess”, “Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody” and “Wash your hands before you eat” never go out of style.

As a career counselor, most of my reading these days is focused on the hundreds of articles out there offering tips for a successful job/internship search… or how to make an impression at your first job… or how to get the most out of your college career center (shameless plug). I even write some of them. And I’m sure, whether you are exploring career options as a freshman or settling into your first job as a recent grad, you have been reading these articles too.

But when you strip down all of the tips and all of the advice, the basic meanings are really the same lessons we have been taught our whole lives. Here, we take some of the most common career-related advice and show why they’re actually pretty simple to put into action – because, well, you probably learned them in kindergarten.

• Strive for balance – whether its work/life, relationship/individual, etc. Stay happy by always making time for those things that are most important to you.
• Give to others. Volunteer -- not just because it’s a great way to make contacts or develop skills, but because it can be personally fulfilling and it makes a difference in your community.
• A “thank you” goes a long way. We all want to feel appreciated and this common courtesy and acknowledgement of someone else’s actions is invaluable – whether it’s after an interview or after someone holds the door open for you.
• Always be prepared. This could be the unofficial motto of any job or internship search. And whether it’s for a big trip, the start of mid-terms, or an interview, being prepared, as they say, is half the victory.
• Learn from everyone. Expand your horizons, be accepting, get to know people who have different backgrounds than you, study abroad, learn a new language. Employers are looking for this, but more importantly, you’ll look at the world in a completely different way.
• Raise your hand! Be the one who steps up to the plate and takes on what no one else wants to. Be a leader, but always know when to follow.
• Listen to anyone who wants to tell you their story or share advice. Find mentors and build relationships.
• When we say that you should watch what you put on social networking sites, it’s no different than what our parents always told us: think before you speak.

And while maybe it doesn’t have that much to do with your career, I think it’s always prudent to remember my favorite entry from Fulghum’s work: Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

A Letter to Upcoming Sophomores

2009-05-14T08:52:00.000-05:00

Dear rising sophomores:

Congratulations on finishing your first year of college! It is a year full of transition – new types of classes, new friends, and possibly new living arrangements. And it is also a time for a lot of new questions, like: What should I major in? What should I pursue as a career? Do I need to choose my career before I choose a major? What’s an internship and how do I get one?

Most likely you have pondered the answer to at least one of these queries in the last year, and the good news is that there are many ways to use your summer to seek a little clarity. Try some of these tips:

• Talk to us! The Career Center is open all summer long and we are happy to meet with you face-to-face if you are local or over the phone. Call 214-768-2266 to schedule an appointment and take a look at all of our resources at www.smu.edu/career.

• Utilize online resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET to research potential careers, including salary information, work environments, education necessary, job growth projections, etc.

• Get registered in MustangTrak, SMU’s online database of jobs and internships. You might not be looking for a job or internship this summer, but reading job postings is a great way to learn about future careers or even internships you might be interested in exploring and what types of skills and experience employers are looking for – so you know how to build your resume!

• Network, network, network. Start with family and family friends. Ask them questions about their careers and even more importantly, ask them if they have suggestions of other people you can contact. Informational interviewing is a great way to build your professional network and learn about potential career paths for you.

• Not sure about your major yet? Spend some time reading SMU’s Course Catalog. It will walk you through all of the majors and the required classes, as well as course descriptions. As you read through the classes, pay attention to the ones which sound the most interesting to you.

• Volunteer. Volunteering with a local organization is a great way to build professional skills, make contacts, and learn about different work environments. And with the flexibility, it’s easy to work into your schedule if you have a part-time job or are taking summer school classes.

You probably feel like the first year of college just flew by – and trust us, it will only get faster! So make plans now to be ahead when it’s time for the next transition!

Happy Summer!
Hegi Family Career Development Center

A Year's Worth of Career Advice

2009-05-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

Employment and careers have been top of mind for many students this school year, not just graduating seniors, as the U.S. economic situation and a new president dominated the news. In our “Hegi Happenings” column in The Daily Campus and in these blogs over the past 9 months, we have aimed to provide you with tips and advice to help you navigate your own career development process – from choosing a major to evaluating a job offer. In case you are new to the blog or need a refresher, here are some highlights from the year:

· Don’t wait until you find a job or internship to prepare a resume and cover letter – always have your materials updated and ready to send out immediately
· A good guide for answering the “Tell me about yourself” question in interviews: Past, Present, Future
· “To be prepared is half the victory”
· Academic projects, volunteer work and study abroad experiences are great additions to a resume
· New jobs and internships are being added to MustangTrak every day, so don’t believe the myth that “no one is hiring.”
· Social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter are becoming increasingly used for recruiting
· Carefully consider many areas when evaluating a job offer
· Show initiative at your internship and your first job so you stand out

Not quite the details you were looking for? To discuss these topics and anything else, please make an appointment to visit the Career Center. We are here all summer! And seniors, the services are available to you as alumni as well.

Have a great summer!

Backpack to Briefcase

2009-04-27T08:25:00.000-05:00

Well, seniors, the time is almost here. Many of you might be starting your first day of work in just a matter of weeks. And even if you have worked every summer since you were 16-years-old, transitioning to your first full-time career can be an adjustment, so follow some of the tips below on your path to success:

First Year Success
Ask clarifying questions: You won’t get the level of direction that you did in school, so don’t expect it
Learn the culture at work – what are the ‘unwritten laws’
Establish credibility – you need to earn it
Learn your boss’ style and adapt to it
Find a mentor and build relationships
Show your maturity – AVOID company gossip
Be open to change, but…
Always keep your integrity

Time Management
Learn to prioritize
Set a bedtime – and follow it!
Show up on time to work – better yet, be early and stay late
Always make time for the interests and people you care about, no matter how busy your new job keeps you

Still job searching? That’s not uncommon, especially in this economic climate, so visit the Career Center now for some help. Remember, we are open all summer, and as an alum, you always have access to our services.

The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need

2009-04-21T16:48:00.000-05:00

Recent graduates and new employees are often challenged to quickly learn how to create success while on the job. For those out there who fit the description above give these 6 Bunko Lessons a try:
1. There is no plan.
2. Think strengths, not weaknesses.
3. It's not about you.
4. Persistence trumps talent.
5. Make excellent mistakes.
6. Leave an imprint.

Thanks Dan Pink!

Mission: Possible

2009-04-16T13:59:00.000-05:00

In what ways can you connect your mission with your career plans?

Make the Internship Work for You

2009-04-14T08:03:00.000-05:00

In a few weeks, many of you will put classes behind for a few months and embark on a summer internship. And making the internship successful (meaning, it helps get you a full-time job one day) is a very intentional process that starts the minute you walk in the door this summer. Keep in mind some of the tips below for making the internship work for you:

Show initiative: Don’t just wait for your supervisor to ask you to do something. When you have an idea or recognize a need in the organization, ask your boss for a few minutes of his/her time to run your idea by them.

Likewise, if there is a project going on that you would like to be a part of, offer your help, even if it means extra hours. You might not always get to do everything that you want, but your passion to be involved will not go unnoticed.

Meet people: Take the time to meet as many people in the organization as you can, besides just the colleagues you work with every day. Internships are about learning and making connections, and this will take being proactive. See if you can buy the President at the company some coffee and ask him/her a few of your questions!

Stay positive: You might not enjoy every part of your internship (you might not enjoy any of it), but always stay upbeat and enthusiastic to help. Just because you realize this career or company isn’t for you, it doesn’t mean that the contacts you make can’t be a huge help to you moving forward.

What’s In An Offer?

2009-04-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

A recent survey suggests that 40% of employers give candidates less than a week to decide on an offer. This means you will have a lot of information to evaluate and perhaps not that much time. And there are many factors to keep in mind in addition to the salary. Below is a brief list of questions to ask yourself when considering an offer.

-- Do the job responsibilities sound interesting? Will I build skills?
-- What is the career path for this position and can I advance?
-- Does it seem like I can work well with the management style here?
-- Does the company seem financially stable? Have there been recent layoffs?
-- When is my first salary and/or performance review? How often?
-- What are my 401(k) or retirement options? Does the company match?
-- Is tuition reimbursement offered at any point?
-- Can I see myself fitting into this office environment?
-- Is there anything else that is important to me?

Remember, this is just a start – meet with a career counselor to talk about more of the factors that can influence your job decision.

What Are You Doing?

2009-03-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

This is the inquiry that Twitter puts forth to its users. Facebook asks “What’s on your mind” and LinkedIn poses the question, “What are you working on?” No matter how they ask the question, the objective is the same – tell us (and the rest of the online world) more about WHO YOU ARE.

By now, you are well aware of the horror stories of Twitter postings or Facebook pages doing damage to a person’s job search. But maximizing these resources isn’t just about what NOT to put on display, but how you can use these to be a more competitive candidate in today’s search, such as the following suggestions:

Twitter: Before you tweet, keep in mind that more and more people are using this social networking tool for career-related reasons. One great way to utilize this resource is to “follow” those people in your desired industry. See what it is they are posting about and make your own observations about your industry in your tweets. Build your own follower list by keeping your tweets more relevant to your career goals rather than the fact that you overslept and missed your class.

LinkedIn: This resource has always existed for professional networking, so if you haven’t yet set up a LinkedIn profile, get started by entering your professional and academic information. Besides searching for “connections”, employers post jobs and opportunities.

Facebook: Relax, Facebook remains a mostly social and fun way to connect with your friends. And when employers do search for your page, make sure what they see are highlights of your involvement, your experience and your creativity.

Planning the Right Job Search Strategy

2009-03-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

Spring Break has passed and it is back to the daily routine. And for many of you seniors, this means the job search is in full swing. And part of the search is the reality of the current economic situation. The good news is that many of the searching strategies you have already been following are still in play – just with a little twist. Take a look below for some dispelled myths about job searching today:

MYTH: With the current economic climate, a job search will now take much longer.
TRUTH: The reality is that job searches have always been a process and finding a job can take up to an average of 6-9 months – in good times and bad. So start early!

MYTH: It is best to hold out until I find exactly what I am looking for, even if it that takes over a year.
TRUTH: Don't let 6 months pass without taking even a temp or part-time assignment. It can be a red flag to a potential employer.

MYTH: No one is hiring.
TRUTH: While it is true that some companies have had to adjust their hiring practices, we are adding new jobs and internships to MustangTrak every day and our Career Fair this semester was just about at capacity for employer participants. So be open-minded about opportunities and you will find there are more than you think.

For more tips, attend the Job Search Strategies Workshop Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m. in Hughes Trigg Ballroom West.

Upcoming Career Events:
Tuesday, March 17: Job Search Strategies Workshop, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., HT Ballroom West
Tuesday, March 24: Work Abroad, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., HT Atriums AB
Weds, March 25: Careers in Marketing, 5 p.m., 175 Crow

Green Careers

2009-03-11T08:51:00.000-05:00

Green Careers are buzzing around these days and here's a great start on researching the "non-technical" side of this budding career field.

Where Are the Green Jobs? Maps Are Worth Ten Thousand Words

Thanks to the power of Google Maps, organizations that are researching the viability of green jobs and the green economy have a powerful tool at their fingertips. With a bit of data, these organizations are creating maps that show where green companies are located using icons so it's easy to identify different kinds of companies...http://www.greencareercentral.com/public/477.cfm

Get started and Get it done

2009-03-09T13:20:00.000-05:00

When speaking with a co-worker the other day I asked if a project in question had been completed and she shared, "Well, it's not done-done." I smiled because it reminded me that students often ask us what strategies they can do to get an interview for the job they desire or how to seek out the career they want. Forget getting it done, just starting is the biggest hurdle for most. This manifesto below may help out with this lifelong process. Read through it, pick out 2-3 tips and not only start the job search but get it Done-Done! (My favorite is #8)

The Cult of Done Manifesto

There are three states of being. Not knowing, action and completion.
Accept that everything is a draft. It helps to get it done.
There is no editing stage.
Pretending you know what you're doing is almost the same as knowing what you are doing, so just accept that you know what you're doing even if you don't and do it.
Banish procrastination. If you wait more than a week to get an idea done, abandon it.
The point of being done is not to finish but to get other things done.
Once you're done you can throw it away.
Laugh at perfection. It's boring and keeps you from being done.
People without dirty hands are wrong. Doing something makes you right.
Failure counts as done. So do mistakes.
Destruction is a variant of done.
If you have an idea and publish it on the internet, that counts as a ghost of done.
Done is the engine of more.

EDU 2308 Blog Journal # 6

2009-03-06T15:33:00.000-06:00

We are almost halfway through the semester. I'd like you to reflect on what has been covered in class and share one or two things that have really stood out for you. What do you know now that you didn't know our first day of class? Has any of it made an impact on you?

Spring Break: Sun, Beaches and Networking!

2009-03-02T09:44:00.000-06:00

It might seem that the time has just flown since January or that the minutes have slowly ticked by, but either way, Spring Break is upon us! And while this week away from classes and tests is a great time to unwind and relax, it is also important to use this time to start – or hopefully build on – your summer internship or job search. Use some of these tips for making the most out of your break:

Bring your cover letter or resume into the Career Center for review before the break if possible so you are ready to give it out on your break.

Start up a conversation with people while you are standing in line at security in the airport or sitting on the plane. You never know who they are or who they know!

Initiate informational interviews with extended family and friends who work at neat or unique jobs or organizations if you are headed home for the break.

If you have already sent in applications to places from here and you are in that city over the break, this is a good time to follow-up since you are available for an interview.

Follow-up! Keep in touch with anyone you meet during this time, so they become part of your network of career contacts.

Bring your laptop to the beach and get registered on MustangTrak if you haven’t already done so. Summer internships and full-time entry level jobs are up. Get registered by completing the online orientation at www.smusaddleup.com.

Enjoy your break!

EDU 2308 Blog Journal # 5

2009-03-01T10:23:00.000-06:00

Decision-making is a critical component of the career development process. In class we discussed various patterns of decision making. We learned that one's decision-making style can be an inherent personality trait.
What advice would you have for a close friend who is trying to decide on a major and/or career path? What steps would you encourage her/him to take, in order to come to a satisfying decision?

You Have More Experience Than You Think

2009-02-23T16:10:00.000-06:00

In the Hegi Family Career Development Center, we often hear students express concern that they do not have “anything” to put on their resumes and there is no way they can fill a whole page. But most of the time, this is just a simple case of thinking about only paid jobs or career-related internships. However, there are many different experiences that have a place on your resume. Think about some of these other skill-building experiences that you can highlight to an employer:

Academic projects: In some classes, semester-long projects or intensive research assignments are similar to internships and valuable skills and knowledge are gained. Consider an “Academic Highlights” section on your resume.

Leadership and involvement on campus: Don’t just list the clubs you are involved in or the titles of the positions you hold. Explain them, just like you would work experience. Be results-oriented and talk about what you have accomplished, not just what you did.

Volunteer work and community service: Promote your well-roundedness and your awareness of the world around you.

Study Abroad and international experience: In our global economy, these experiences are extremely valuable to employers, so make sure they are highlighted either in an International Experience section or throughout your resume.

Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss further how to promote your skills and experience on your resume!

EDU 2308 Blog Journal # 4

2009-02-20T16:33:00.000-06:00

"Know Thyself".
What does that really mean? How well do you know yourself, given all the activities / exercises / assessments / homework assignments you've completed in the last couple of weeks?

Two More Days Until The Career & Internship Fair!

2009-02-17T10:54:00.000-06:00

The All-Major Career & Internship Fair is taking place THURSDAY in the Hughes-Trigg Ballrooms. As you prepare, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you make the most out of the fair.

DO dress for success
DON’T eat, drink or chew gum

DO bring several copies of your resume on nice resume paper
DON’T force your resume or application

DO ask questions based on company research
DON’T ask about salary/benefits

DO share information about your career interests
DON’T expect company reps to carry the conversation

DO develop a plan – have a list of the companies you want to talk to beforehand
DON’T be pushy or a time hog

DO ask for a business card so you can send a thank you letter or e-mail
DON’T load up on the freebies

Visit www.smu.edu/career for a full list of participating companies and the positions they are taking resumes for at the fair. And visit www.smu.edu/itunes to hear a podcast with additional tips for making the Career & Internship Fair work for you.

Upcoming Events
Today: Careers in Commercial Real Estate, 5 p.m., 220 Collins
Thursday: All Major Career & Internship Fair, Noon -4p.m., Hughes-Trigg Lower Level

EDU 2308 Blog Journal # 3

2009-02-15T23:17:00.000-06:00

Career development theories suggest that career exploration is possible, even recommended, at a young age. If you worked in a high school, what program or class would you develop, in order to assist students with their career development? What topics would you highlight and why?

How I Met Your Mother, Technology, and the Job Search

2009-02-14T16:04:00.000-06:00

The (Awesome) video resume... As you can see Barney has decided to use the "video resume" to find his next job. Although I do believe Barney is awesome I'm not sure if this will work for the rest of us:)

Students, alumni, friends, family members, etc. often ask us how they can use technology to find their next job?? We recommend an old-school job strategy (networking) that when combined with technology (internet) will vastly improve your odds in finding your next job interview: Professional On-line Networking.

The Hegi Family Career Center has created an exclusive career networking group for SMU students and alumni. These 400+ members in the Linked-In professional networking website are building connections and exchanging career information right now! Give us a call or come by and talk with one us about how to receive an invitation to join the group and immediately add 400+ SMU alumni and students to your career network.

To Be Prepared Is Half The Victory

2009-02-09T14:04:00.000-06:00

The quote above is from Don Quixote author Miguel De Cervantes, and if you Google “quotes about preparation,” you will find 100 more from top business leaders, politicians and entertainers. We mention it right here in this little column pretty regularly as well. The bottom line – to be successful, means you have to be prepared.

And the job or internship search is certainly no exception. To this end, we have a whole day dedicated to get you prepared: Career and Internship Fair Prep Day, taking place Wednesday, Feb. 11. Don’t miss this opportunity to polish your materials, meet employers, and hone your professional communication skills. Pick the workshops you would like to attend from the schedule below and get more information at www.smu.edu/career.

Resumania: 15-minute resume reviews with employers; Between 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
How to Work a Career & Internship Fair Workshop: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (One hour)
Job Searching for International Students Workshop: 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Speed Networking: 4 p.m.-7 p.m. You must RSVP for only this event at www.smu.edu/career and must be able to stay the whole time. (Please note, this event is now on a wait list)

EDU 2308 Blog Journal # 2

2009-02-06T16:57:00.000-06:00

In class today you completed a values inventory. Think about one need you have that absolutely must be met, or one value you possess that absolutely must be fulfilled, through your eventual career. What is it, and why can't you live without it?
Do NOT say it's $$! That's a very obvious answer and an easy way out of this assignment. :)